PBMC's 2023 Pink Panel Provides Life Saving Breast Cancer Information

Peconic Bay Medical Center (PBMC) recently held its 2023 Pink Panel to explore a range of topics related to breast cancer detection and treatment options to give local residents an inside look at medical innovations and answer questions with potentially life-saving information. The event was held at Hotel Indigo in Riverhead, and featured a panel composed of Susan H. Lee, MD, chief of breast surgery, PBMC, Elizabeth Sieczka, MD, plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Brittney, MD, medical oncologist and Director of the Cancer Services Program of Suffolk County, Maureen O’Connor.

“At Peconic Bay Medical Center, our mission is to both provide excellent medical care and empower our residents with the information they need to make informed healthcare decisions,” said Amy Loeb, EdD, MBA, RN, PBMC executive director. “Events like our Pink Panel on breast cancer are integral to our position as a community hospital and help shed light on the significant investments PBMC has made to advance cancer services throughout Eastern Suffolk County.”

According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, and an estimated 297,790 new cases of breast cancer will be detected in 2023. In addition, an estimated 2,800 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in men nationwide - a man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 833. However, the five-year survival rate when breast cancer is detected early in the localized stage is 99 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.

PBMC has made significant investments in mammography technology to detect breast cancer at its earliest stages. This includes the Hologic Selenia® Dimensions ®Mammography System, a state-of-the-art device that captures exceptionally sharp images and enhances the ability of clinicians to catch previously undetectable identifications of cancer and operate as precisely and non-invasively as possible. The panel discussion highlighted the team approach to treating breast cancer at PBMC, and how the evolution of the breast health program has helped patients avoid travelling long distances for up-to-date quality care.

In addition, Peconic Bay recently announced that it received a five-year extension to house the Cancer Services Program of Suffolk County at its facility. This program, funded by the New York State Department of Health, offers free cancer screenings for those who are uninsured or meet eligibility criteria to have access to subsidized, life-saving cancer screenings.

For more information about breast health services at Peconic Bay Medical Center visit pbmchealth.org/breast.

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About Peconic Bay Medical Center
Located in Riverhead, NY, Peconic Bay Medical Center is a 144-bed nonprofit hospital committed to providing exceptional care and improving the health of the communities it serves. Peconic Bay Medical Center offers wide-ranging, full-scope services and programs, including advanced surgical, cardiac, orthopedic and women’s health care, comprehensive inpatient medical care, palliative care and an extensive range of outpatient services, along with state-of-the-art technology. Peconic Bay Medical Center joined Northwell Health in 2016. For more information, visit PBMCHealth.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.