10/06/2025
With a family history of breast cancer, Bridgett was having imaging scans every six months — alternating between mammograms and breast MRIs — after having a conversation with her ob-gyn, Courtney Fleissner, MD.
“My aunt had breast cancer, my dad’s mom had breast cancer, and my great aunt had breast cancer,” she said. “I told Dr. Fleissner that I was a little concerned, and she agreed.”
While an MRI scan in October 2024 revealed an area for further exploration, a subsequent diagnostic mammogram and breast ultrasound didn’t show any concerns.
“They told me everything looked fine,” Bridgett said.
Bridgett was scheduled for her regular screening mammogram in February 2025, an appointment she briefly considered cancelling since she’d just had imaging studies done four months prior. But she kept the appointment and was glad she did. The mammogram showed areas of concern in both breasts, so she had another diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound.
“The left breast was all good,” Bridgett said. “But I will never forget when the radiologist came in and said they were going to check my right breast. She said it could be nothing, but the way she said it, I knew.”
A biopsy revealed Bridgett had stage zero ductal carcinoma in situ, a form of breast cancer.
“The radiologist told me that if it was something of concern, it would be at its earliest stage – the earliest we could catch it,” she says. “The last thing she said to me was, ‘You are going to be OK.’ I didn’t panic because of the way she approached it. She was phenomenal, and I appreciate her so much.”
Bridgett met with breast surgeon Kristin Lupinacci, DO, to discuss treatment options.
“She explained everything so clearly and thoroughly in a way I could understand,” Bridgett said. “She broke it down and gave me data and things to consider, so I could make an informed decision.”
As the mother of a 9-year-old daughter, Bridgett was grateful that Dr. Lupinacci had her best interests in mind. While planning for her surgery, Bridgett told Dr. Lupinacci that she and her husband, Jeff, had already planned a trip to New York City to celebrate their daughter’s birthday in June.
“She had such empathy and compassion,” she said. “I asked her, would I be able to have surgery and recover in time for the trip? She said, you will be on that trip.”
Based on the information Dr. Lupinacci provided, Bridgett opted to have a lumpectomy – a breast conserving procedure where the surgeon only removes the cancerous lump within the breast. She had two procedures in May. After the second surgery, her margins were clear, and she traveled to New York City with her family as planned.
The trip gave the family a chance to relax and have fun before Bridgett started the first of 19 radiation treatments in July under the care of radiation oncologist Parul Barry, MD. Her last treatment was on Aug. 7.
Throughout her experience, Bridgett was very appreciative of her care team, their willingness to listen and address her concerns, and their support.
“I am so grateful for them and the care that I received. It wasn’t just the medical care, it was the mental and emotional care,” she said.
A week after her radiation treatments ended, Bridgett started hormone therapy and is doing well. She has been able to continue her work in the career center at Penn West University and help her daughter prepare for fourth grade. Bridgett will have follow up appointments at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center this fall and imaging scans in February.
Bridgett hopes that her story will help remind people of the importance of keeping up with regular screening mammograms, no matter how hectic their lives may be. She emphasizes that taking care of yourself is a priority, and many UPMC Magee-Womens Imaging locations have Saturday and evening appointments to help make scheduling easier.
“We get busy, and we put screenings off. I went in after four months and thought I was good. Thankfully, I didn’t put it off. Sometimes we get busy, and life gets intense, but we have to take care of ourselves.”
