October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, encouraging early detection, and celebrating survivors who inspire others through their journeys. In recognition of the month, Houston Methodist Hospital shared the story of one such survivor who found an unexpected path to healing through music.
When Katy Muster discovered a painful lump in her breast in March 2023, it turned out to be the beginning of a life-altering journey. She first scoured the internet for answers, which surprisingly, told her she had nothing to worry about. But her gut told her something was off. Despite having a clear mammogram less than seven months ago, Muster trusted her instincts and got screened again. By May, she was diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer at the age of 40.
“The results showed a fast-growing and large tumor. I was speechless,” Katy recalled. “I’m a mom to four boys, and I had no idea how I was going to tell them this horrible news.”
Muster began chemotherapy and cold cap treatments at Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital’s Neal Cancer Center. Cold capping helps reduce hair loss during chemotherapy, but the treatment can be extremely uncomfortable and sometimes painful to endure.
“It was really harsh, and I was counting down the minutes until it was over,” Muster said. “I was about to count this as one of the worst days I’d had in a while, when I met Clarissa, who told me she could sing with me. I said please come to the beginning of my next appointment.”
Clarissa Grayson, a certified music therapist with the hospital’s music therapy program, quickly became an unexpected source of comfort for Muster as she began her months-long treatment plan. Muster, a former vocalist, immediately connected with the idea of using music as a healing tool. What began as a distraction and coping mechanism, soon became a source of joy and strength.
“Music therapy is a clinically recognized allied health profession that harnesses the power of music to support physiological and psychological goals,” said Grayson. “Through evidence-based techniques, it can help reduce anxiety, manage pain, improve mood, and reduce discomfort during procedures—serving as a vital complement to traditional medical care.”
The music therapy program is part of the Houston Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM), one of the largest and most comprehensive programs of its kind. CPAM’s creative arts therapists tailor sessions to each patient’s emotional and medical needs, offering holistic support that complements traditional care.
After several months of treatment and multiple surgeries, Muster was declared cancer-free in March 2024. This October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she’s urging women to listen to their bodies and get screened—even if they’re not due for a mammogram.
“If I had waited, the cancer could’ve spread even further,” she said. “Trust your gut. Advocate for yourself.”