For 43-year-old Remsenburg resident Melanie Lippman, making time for her annual mammogram turned out to be one of the most important decisions she could make for her health.

“I started getting regular annual mammograms at 40 years old,” said Melanie. “During a regular checkup in 2025, something was found, and then on November 7, 2025, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer.”

Although Melanie had tested negative for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, she did have a family history of breast cancer. Originally from Queens, Melanie was familiar with seeking care in New York City, and family members encouraged her to pursue cancer treatment there. However, when an initial experience in the city left Melanie feeling like a number, she decided to make an appointment with Dr. Edna Kapenhas, Medical Director of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s Ellen Hermanson Breast Center.

“My experience was night and day. I felt like a human at the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center,” said Melanie. “Every single interaction made me feel like someone actually cared about me. During my first appointment with Dr. Kapenhas, she made me feel like I was the only person that she was speaking to that day. I never felt rushed, and I left with all my questions answered.”

Melanie had previously delivered her son at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital in 2013, so returning to the hospital for her cancer care felt familiar, something that was especially meaningful during a time of uncertainty.

Melanie’s lumpectomy was performed by Dr. Kapenhas in December 2025. “The last thing the anesthesiologist said to me before my surgery was: We have you,” said Melanie. “I just felt so at ease knowing that I was going through this with an entire team behind me every step of the way.”

That same sense of compassion continued at the Phillips Family Cancer Center, the East End location of Stony Brook Cancer Center. Melanie required three weeks of daily radiation, under the care of the radiation oncologist, Dr. Edward Valentine. While initially Melanie dreaded the 21 consecutive days of radiation, she took comfort each day in seeing the staff at the Center who cared for her.

“Every day I went to the Phillips Family Cancer Center for treatment, my care team lifted my spirits,” said Melanie. “We shared moments of laughter. They helped me find the little joys during this journey.”

Today, Melanie hopes her experience encourages others to prioritize their health and never put off a mammogram. “While it’s the easiest thing to cancel or push back, my cancer was detected so early because I went for my annual mammogram.”

“Melanie’s story is a powerful reminder of why we encourage women to make their annual mammograms a priority,” said Dr. Kapenhas. “When breast cancer is detected early, patients have more treatment options with better outcome and can begin the right care as soon as possible.”

To learn more about Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s Ellen Hermanson Breast Center, call (631) 726-8466. To learn more about the Phillips Family Cancer Center, call (631) 638-7400.