KITTANNING, Armstrong County — Dr. Jacqueline Guerriero is one of the specialists at the helm of ACMH Hospital's “comprehensive breast center.”

Since August 2018, she's treated women with all types of breast complaints. She's helped teenagers. She's helped octogenarians. She's conducted risk assessment tests, mastectomies and lumpectomies, among other procedures.

“We evaluate all breast conditions,” Guerriero said. “Even (in) people without a family history of breast cancer.”

Guerriero started her career in general surgery, but became interested in breast surgery after working closely with a specialist.

“I was always interested in women's health,” Guerriero said. “I think the patient population is very special.”

Guerriero believes many women like working with and understanding women's conditions. Cancer patients are an especially important niche for her, because she gets to follow patients long-term.

“You really get to form a relationship with people,” Guerriero said.

When she joined ACMH, Guerriero wanted to be part of an active and vital breast center. Guerriero said she and her co-workers want the center to be a special place.

“A place where people could come and get ... breast care,” Guerriero said. “And feel like they don't have to travel.”

Guerriero isn't a plastic surgeon and doesn't do breast reconstruction. However, she does work with a breast Reconstructionist in cases where her patients have a mastectomy.

Some of Guerriero's patients are candidates for successive surgeries. This means the have their cancer surgery, then immediately move into breast reconstruction.

“To be able to offer it immediately is nice,” Guerriero said. “That was something we didn't really have (before).”

Guerriero estimates about 50 percent of her patients meet with a plastic surgeon during their treatment process.

Breast reconstruction following cancer surgery is not legally considered cosmetic surgery. Because of this, insurance must cover post-cancer-surgery breast reconstruction.

“A lot of women don't know that,” Guerriero said. “Everyone should be referred to a plastic surgeon.”

Guerriero highly encourages patients to at least have an initial discussion about plastic surgery.

In Guerriero's experience, many women facing a potential breast cancer diagnosis think their problem will be worse than it is. They worry about treatment and permanent disfigurement, which can many times be attributed to social stigmas.

But advances in technology, procedures and public understanding make treatment and recovery time much better.

“A lot of breast cancer is curable when you find it early,” Guerriero said. “We know so much more (now).”

The bottom line, according to Guerriero, for patients facing a cancer diagnosis is keeping an open mind. It's easy to jump to worst-case-scenario. But most of the time, patients find surgery and recovery aren't as bad as they think, she said.

“Try not to be scared or worried,” Guerriero said. “Get all the information that you can. Just take it one step at a time.”

Guerriero directs many women to the American Cancer Society, which provides resources for all types of cancer patients. One of the most important things her patients can do is learn about what to expect following a diagnosis.

“Usually, you're going to be OK,” Guerriero said.