October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and local organizations like Mount Nittany Medical Center and the Centre Knitters Guild are helping to promote awareness about screenings and early detection.
Angelique Cygan, a registered nurse and oncology breast navigator at the medical center, presented an educational seminar entitled “Early Detection is Best Protection” at the guild’s “Knitted Knockers Night” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month in early October. Cygan and her team work to ease the stress of those in cancer treatment.
According to the Susan G. Komen organization, there will be 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women in 2023 and 2,800 new invasive cases in men in the United States alone.
Symptoms of breast cancer can include development of a new lump in the breast, generalized swelling of the breast, dimpling, irritation or a rash on the skin, unusual pain, redness or scaliness around the breast or nipple, a retracted or turned in nipple as well as discharge from the nipple.
Cygan wants to inform the public how important self-screening is for both women and men, regardless of age and no prior history in the family.
“There are so many times when I meet a patient who will say to me ‘I have no history’” said Cygan. “’How did this happen?’
“Well now you are the history.”
Younger adults should understand that they too can be at risk and should start self-examining themselves around the age of 20.
“We should be doing self-breast exams and understanding our breasts,” said Cygan.
She advises that women wait up to five days after their period to regularly check themselves.
“Some lumps and bumps are totally normal,” she said. “It’s important to know what normal is for you.”
For people aged 20-30, she recommends clinical breast exams and for those 40 and over to schedule regular mammograms. People with a history of cancer in their family should start earlier in life.
Cygan is so passionate about spreading awareness that she became excited when she was invited by Anne Hoag, president of the Centre Knitters Guild, to speak at the group’s monthly meeting.
Although a bit nervous at first, she was happy she got a chance to educate those in attendance.
“It gave me and Mount Nittany Health an opportunity to reach out to the community and talk about screening and prevention. At the end of that presentation, a lot of people were reaching for information on how to make an appointment,” she said of the pamphlets she brought with her.
In addition to having Cygan speak and answer questions, the guild took on the knitted knocker challenge with a goal of making 100 knockers by the end of October to be distributed at Mount Nittany Medical Center and Geisinger Mammography at Gray’s Woods. Knitted knockers provide a soft, handmade alternative to patients who may still be healing after a mastectomy or find other prosthetics too hot and uncomfortable.
The official Knitted Knockers site offers free knockers that are crocheted in all different cup sizes and come in various colors. The site also provides patterns and videos for those who are interested.
Cygan is a big fan of the knockers and recommends them to patients.
“I’ve had many patients come to me and say ‘I just had a bilateral mastectomy’” she said. “The thing about breast cancer is [some people] can go right back to work and if they don’t have prosthetics, what can they do? The site is very tender as it’s healing. This is such a nice alternative. They just feel more comfortable.”
“There’s a village of people behind that knocker,” Cygan added. “The person who is knitting it and thinking of our patients who are going through this. It’s a form of support.”
Hoag also believes that the knockers are special because of the personal handwork going into crocheting. She wanted to share with others the care that goes into these items and how important early cancer detection is.
“We wanted to make it public and provide awareness (about) the importance of screenings,” Hoag said. “This was our first media event.”
Hoag is also opening the Nov. 2 guild’s meeting to the media as it will be the conclusion of their October meeting to see if they reached the 100 mark. Incentives will be given to those who made knockers as well as a drawing for a grand prize.
And while Cygan might not be giving a lesson at the upcoming meeting, she wants people to know that she and Mount Nittany Medical Center welcome future educational programs.
“We’re always open to offer community education on screenings and prevention,” said Cygan.
Other ways that Mount Nittany has offered outreach is through special events throughout the year like a pickleball tournament at the YMCA of State College, the Lady Lion basketball team’s annual Pink Zone game and “Paint the Park Pink,” a specially themed State College Spikes game.
“That’s a baseball game dedicated to breast cancer survivors and the proceeds go back to our navigation program to help patients,” said Cygan.
These events help fund the diagnosis, radiation and chemotherapy, surgery and follow-up appointments for those who otherwise could not afford treatment. Cygan thinks it is important that people are aware that no matter what their financial situation might be, the hospital, with the help of a financial navigator, will guide them through their options.
“Oftentimes patients come to the emergency room with masses that are already out control,” said Cygan. “Mount Nittany has a very generous financial aid program that they could connect to.”
Navigators can also help with lodging if a patient, for example, is from out of town and needs daily treatments.
“There shouldn’t be a financial barrier,” she said.
Cygan wants to reassure people that there is hope in early detection. She also wants to remind men that they too can develop breast cancer, although the numbers are relatively lower in men than in women.
She cited a male patient who read an article in which another man wrote openly about his own diagnosis and was surprised that men could get breast cancer.
“That night he checked himself and had a mass,” said Cygan. “And he indeed had breast cancer. He’s completed treatment and he’s doing great.”
While there are many success stories, Cygan previously worked as a hospice nurse and saw what happens when cancer is found too late.
“I really liked hospice. I know that’s a hard role for folks and I feel like if you’re good at it and comfortable (you) should stay,” Cygan said. “But I had a chance to maybe make a difference for other breast cancer patients.”
Cygan has now been with the medical center for 10 years promoting screening and working with newly and re-diagnosed patients.
“It’s just an honor to be in this role and to help,” she said. “I always say it’s not a job.”
To schedule a mammogram with Mount Nittany Health Breast Care Center, call 814-234-6752.
