Breast cancer survivor spreads awareness through her story

At the age of 34, Stacey Hannigon began undergoing annual mammograms as a result of her mom being diagnosed with her first round of breast cancer in 2009. “Over the next 13 years, I had numerous abnormal mammograms, which resulted in subsequent ultrasounds and aspirations,” Hannigon said. In 2022, during her annual exam, the doctor noticed a spot in the same area that was aspirated the previous year. “I was referred for a biopsy and breast MRI and those two tests confirmed that the spot they discovered in my left breast was in fact cancer,” Hannigon shared. Hannigon says she was fortunate that the cancer was noticed very early. As a result, she did nothave to undergo chemotherapy or radiation.

However, due to her family and personal history, it was recommended by both of her doctors that she have a bilateral/double mastectomy right away. “So, two weeks later I was undergoing surgery,” Hannigon said. Although she didn't have to undergo treatment, there were still difficulties that she encountered throughout the process.

She said her greatest challenges were not with the diagnosis, the surgery or the reconstruction, but it was just dealing with all the pre-existing “conditions” of her life that she was already dealing with. The biggest challenge for her was having to face the diagnosis only five months after her mother passed from her second round of breast cancer.

“She was diagnosed in December of 2021 and passed in July of 2022,” Hannigon shared. “After being a 12-year survivor, she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer that metastasized to her bones

and her diagnosis took place two months after having a 6-month checkup where she was told “everything is good, see you in six months.”

She was still grieving her mother’s death, while trying to come to terms with her mother’s misdiagnosis. “Now I was faced with my own diagnosis a year after my mom was diagnosed,” Hannigon said. Hannigon had also started a new job just four months before receiving her diagnoses. “With only a few months into a new job that came with a lot of responsibilities, it was an added burden of stress thinking about how this would ultimately affect my ability to live up to my employer’s expectations, Hannigon said. “I’ve always been a hard worker, willing to go above and beyond what’s required of me. I also had staff who were relying on me to be in place, to offer guidance and to provide support for them day-to-day.” However, all of that was disrupted due to this diagnosis. Even while grieving and dealing with her diagnoses, she still had hope.

“My most hopeful moment was before I even had the surgery,” Hannigon said. “My breast surgeon,

Dr. Black, explained to me that while the bilateral mastectomy would be a major surgery (physically and mentally), this would significantly lower the chances of me having another cancer diagnosis.” While the cancer was found only in one breast, because of the type of cancer that it was, it was explained to her that it wasn’t a matter of if it would return, but when and where. After her recovery, Hannigon made the decision to undergo genetic testing. “Even though I already went through my surgery and have significantly reduced the likelihood of another cancer diagnosis, I have two older sisters and a younger brother, as well as other family members

who could be impacted by cancer,” she shared. One of her mother’s sisters also lost her battle with breast cancer. There are also family members on her father’s side who have been diagnosed with various types of cancer. “I thought it was the right thing to do to go through the genetic testing to confirm if in fact, the prevalence of cancer in my family was truly genetic,” Hannigon said. Interestingly, the test results said that it is not due to genetics. “With that being the case, the thought is that it was more so environmental or could have been the result of

individual behaviors,”Hannigon said. Hannigon is now cancer free. “I officially received my cancer free diagnosis in February of 2023,” Hannigon said. “All of the tissue that was

removed from my breasts were tested for the presence of cancer and no other detections

were made outside of the one spot that my doctors initially diagnosed.”

For Hannigon, being a survivor means, changing her family’s story and being a living example for

someone else. “This awareness starts with your own personal health. I understand that some of us struggle with receiving a ‘bad’ diagnosis from our doctor,” Hannigon said. “However, my position concerning my health has always been, ‘The sooner I know, the sooner we can start doing something about it!”’ She said too many people are being diagnosed with cancer at a point where it’s too far gone to recover. She encourages everyone to make their health a priority. “Make regular visits to your doctor and if something feels different, inform your doctor.”

For many years, Hannigon has been a volunteer with Relay For Life in Gadsden County, and she will serve as the committee chair for the 2025 Gadsden County Relay for Life event. She is also a member of the Breast Cancer Support Group here in Gadsden County.

“While this group’s primary focus is support, there are also opportunities to be personal advocates for our sisters and brothers during their cancer journey,” Hannigon said. If anyone is interested in joining the group or knows a family member or friend who could benefit from being part of this support system, they may contact the health department at 850-875-7200.

Breast cancer survivor spreads awareness through her story

Legals – Gadsden County Times – 10/24/2024

Men are not exempt

Men are not exempt

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Breast cancer survivor spreads awareness through her story

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Legals – Gadsden County Times – 10/24/2024

Men are not exempt

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