What do a US senator, an actor, a football fullback, a district judge and a rock legend have in common? Two things: they are all men, and they all survived breast cancer. Male breast cancer is like an anonymous ailment – no one really hears about it – but about one percent of all breast cancer cases occur in men. That may sound like a small number, but it translates into approximately 2,000 diagnosed cases annually and around 400 deaths. Primary risk factors for men include having family members that have been identified with the hereditary breast cancer gene, having low testosterone or illnesses associated with high levels of estrogen (like liver disease), and radiation exposure.
Many men have a difficult time talking when it comes to personal issues like health and emotions, and breast cancer affects both. Whether it’s pride or ego or just plain fear, it is important not to let such things get in the way of communication. Talking about your experience will help you and others with similar issues. Communication promotes awareness and awareness is the key to coping with male breast cancer (MBC).
African American actor, Richard Roundtree, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993. He underwent treatment and kept silent about his breast cancer until years later. Now he is an advocate, informing people about the disease. Peter Criss, drummer for the legendary rock band, KISS, recently revealed that he, too, is a breast cancer survivor. He reminds us that there is no shame in a man receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. Other male public figures who have survived breast cancer include Louisiana district judge, Tucker L. Melancon; former Massachusetts senator, Edward Brooke; and former Cleveland Browns fullback, Ernie Green. Televison actor, Bill McGhee, and radio/TV announcer Rod Roddy lost their battles with MBC.
One name you may not readily recognize is John W. Nick. Get to know him. Nick was a successful and respected businessman, a member of the New York Stock Exchange. He died from breast cancer in 1991, prompting his daughter, Nancy, to establish the John W. Nick Foundation (www.nickfoundation.org) to promote awareness about MBC by providing information, education and support.
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