Early detection, support systems crucial in breast cancer recovery
Olivia Goudy | Herald-Standard
Scott Tracy is a psychotherapist who has worked in Uniontown for nearly 20 years.
Olivia Goudy | Herald-Standard
Scott Tracy
In the eyes of the American Cancer Society, Scott Tracy is a real man who wears pink, especially during their national campaign to advocate for the breast cancer treatment and research.
With Tracy’s campaign in particular at his Uniontown private practice, funds raised are going towards research.
“We need to devise better ways to detect it before it takes hold. That’s where the cure is,” said Tracy, a psychotherapist who has worked in town for nearly 20 years. “With genetic testing, we would be able to identify individuals who are likely to develop breast cancer and begin intervention treatments to prevent it from taking form.”
“Raising money is just one part of it, though. Teaching men about what they can do to help is another, and providing services for breast cancer survivors is a third part of it.”
That’s where Tracy comes in. Though it’s a fall campaign, his private practice located along 119 across from the Cellurale Garden Center offers therapy options for breast cancer survivors and their families year-round.
In particular, though, he emphasizes the role of the support system and men when it comes to a loved one’s diagnosis.
“Men who have loved ones that have experienced breast cancer benefit from psychotherapy programs. The target of my campaign is to teach men how to support women who’ve had devastating diagnosis of breast cancer,” Tracy explained.
“Often times, men tend to shut down when their loved one is diagnosed. They isolate themselves emotionally. That’s the exact opposite of what we should do, though,” he added. “We need to teach them how to embrace them and provide emotional support.”
Tracy added that it’s often an aspect of the diagnosis that’s overlooked. Rightfully so, we focus on the woman because she’s the one with the illness, he said.
“We have to devise ways to help the support system around her. That’s what makes my campaign unique,” he added. “Men aren’t really good with handling emotions. Men are fixers — it’s in our genetic code. It’s important for them to understand that they themselves can’t fix it, but they can figure out ways to support her.”
Tracy, who has a doctorate degree in counseling and works as a professor in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, knows the emotional toll all too well after losing his mother to breast cancer. She was a life-long resident of Brownsville that thrived in her years of remission, but returning cancer more than 15 years later proved too much.
“Through all of that, I learned about ways in psychotherapy to be able to place a support system around the person with the disease,” he said.
Tracy added that he remembers growing up in the 1960s when cancer was almost considered a taboo topic. People would whisper about it almost as if it was leprosy.
“There were so many misconceptions. But it’s something we need to talk about and be aware of,” Tracy said. “Don’t be afraid of things which you are aware. Knowledge is power. The more we learn about medical history, the easier it is to support. Women shouldn’t face this alone.”
In his role with the ACS, Tracy has created a number of fundraising events in the near future to designate funds for research. The first is scheduled for 6-8 p.m., Nov. 11 at Titlow Tavern in Uniontown with two guest bartenders — attorney Jeremy Davis and commissioner Vince Vicites — with live music from Erica Vulgaris. Another similar event will be held from 7-9 p.m., Nov. 10 at Ye Olde Inn with guest bartender Pat Stefano and others to be announced.