November 26, 2018 By: sassychickcomment
I recently had a routine check-up with my radiation oncologist. While I was at the cancer center, I met Robert, a volunteer at the American Cancer Society kiosk. The station provides information regarding resources for patients and even has a few wigs to try on. I was fortunate enough to receive two wigs there while I was on treatment for FREE!
I got to talking to Bob. He said that the reason he volunteers for the American Cancer Society is to make folks aware that men have breast cancer too. What a great reminder!
Yes, Men Do Get Breast Cancer Too
Thankfully it is fairly uncommon. But male breast cancer does happen. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc, male breast cancer makes up less than one percent of all breast cancer and only one in a thousand men will ever be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Bob told me that he was in the parking lot after his doctor’s appointment and realized that he forgot to bring the mass to his doctor’s attention. Thankfully he did go back and in and his work up was initiated.
Bob is correct. Men that do find a breast lump, are less likely to assume a mass is breast cancer which delays going to the doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms
Men usually have a lump or mass that can be felt. Other symptoms can include, a change in size or shape of the breast, a dimple or puckering in the skin, a change in the nipple, fluid draining from the nipple and scaly, red or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or areola. Just like women, if men have any of these symptoms they should seek prompt medical attention.
Treatment of Male Breast Cancer
Treatment can be similar to women’s breast cancer including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
Survival
According to the National Cancer Institute, survival for men with breast cancer is similar to survival to women with breast cancer. But again men tend to be diagnosed at a later stage due to not seeking diagnosis and treatment immediately.
Additional Information
The national cancer institute’s website has amazing resources for most types of cancer. See: https://www.cancer.gov/
Here is a link for more information specific to male breast cancer; male breast cancer
While researching information for this post another site that provided helpful information is from Comanche County Medical Center. Here’s a link: male breast cancer.
Robert and I. We’re both breast cancer survivors!