From Patient to Purpose

A movie night with her young daughter changed the course of Cassidy Edwards’ life. A year after discovering a lump that led to a breast cancer diagnosis at 37, the Carterville woman is sharing how her family and SIH care team carried her through treatment and inspired an unexpected new calling.

VIDEO: Watch Cassidy and two of her physicians tell the story of a cancer journey that became something more: a sense of purpose.

In August 2025, Cassidy Edwards invited her young daughter onto her lap to watch a movie. When her daughter leaned against her chest, Cassidy felt a sudden, sharp pain. She immediately checked the area, discovered a lump and went to a walk-in clinic the next morning. From there, communication between SIH Logan Primary and the SIH Breast Center quickly moved her care forward.
Cassidy was 37. Cancer was part of her family history: her mother had survived breast cancer, and her paternal grandmother had died from the disease. Still, Cassidy had expected to begin routine mammograms at 40.

Her original treatment plan called for a lumpectomy, but that changed when genetic testing revealed a BRCA2 mutation. Under the care of SIH breast surgeon Amelia Jeyapalan, MD, Cassidy ultimately chose a double mastectomy.

Cassidy said the experience taught her the importance of being heard as a patient.
“Dealing with cancer, you want to feel seen and heard, and they made me feel that way,” Cassidy said.

After surgery, Cassidy continued treatment at the SIH Cancer Institute with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Cassidy marked a major milestone March 24 when she rang the bell at the SIH Cancer Institute. For Cassidy, it meant closing the door on what she described as the hardest chapter of her journey and moving into a new season.

For Lakshmi Chintalacheruvu, MD, hematologist and oncologist, the moment represented both how far Cassidy had come and the care still ahead.

“It reminds me of the perseverance it took for her to stay strong through this journey. It’s not the end of treatment. There are more treatments to come, and we’re going to stand with her throughout that journey.”

But cancer also changed the direction of her future. Inspired by her caregivers and a longtime interest in data, Cassidy returned to college to pursue work as a cancer registrar, a profession that collects and reports cancer data used by researchers, healthcare providers and public health officials to help advance treatment, research, prevention and screening.

“I want to be part of the solution,” Cassidy said.

Dr. Jeyapalan hopes Cassidy’s experience carries a message far beyond her own diagnosis.

“If you notice a difference and it’s consistent, tell your doctor so you can get checked,” Dr. Jeyapalen emphasized.