Miguel Rein was completely unaware men could get breast cancer before being diagnosed in 2012. The 53-year-old Paraguayan import-export worker had no family history of the disease.
"I had a strong urge to scratch myself on the chest. At first I thought it was just a sting or an insect bite. But then the itch turned into something hard," Rein says as he remembers the symptoms that appeared two years ago.
Each year 600 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Germany, compared with 74,500 women. That's a very small number of men, says Professor Sabine Kliesch, a urologist and spokesperson for the German Society of Urology (DGU).
Each year 600 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Germany, compared with 74,500 women. That's a very small number of men, says Professor Sabine Kliesch, a urologist and spokesperson for the German Society of Urology (DGU).
She points out, education has the potential to save lives. Unaware they can be affected by breast cancer, men tend to wait longer before seeking medical treatment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) predicted in its that, at the current rate, by 2030 one in five men globally will develop cancer before the age of 75, and one in eight men will die from the disease.
A man's likelihood of becoming a breast cancer patient increases with age, but younger males can also be affected. Germany, along with most Western nations, has no screening program in place, like the mammogram services offered to women, to detect breast cancer in men while it is still in the early stages.
The notion that breast cancer only affects women often leads to men going untreated for longer. Television advertisements, online and magazine campaigns all target women, reminding them to check themselves for early signs of breast cancer. And that's exactly what men need to start doing, says Kliesch, "just like they check their testes for signs of testicular cancer."
She says men need to take two minutes in the shower to have a feel and check for early warning signs. "If men realize [their breast] has changed size, has a hard nodule, or if there are secretions coming from the mammilla [nipple], then they should go straight to the doctor to get it checked," Kliesch emphasizes.
While Rein is now in remission, and "doing fine," he does have one message for men. and their wives: "Men should go straight to the doctor if they have any doubts. Wives are often the first to notice there is something different about their husband's breasts or nipples."
Having symptoms, Kliesch adds, is not necessarily indicative of having breast cancer, but it is a reason to get checked out by a general practitioner.
Just like in women, early detection gives men the best chance of treating the cancer effectively, she says.
Men and women are treated in a similar manner. Gynecologists also treat male breast cancer patients "because they have the most experience with breast cancer treatment," Kliesch says. Removal of cancerous tissue, or breast removal operations, are also commonplace for male patients.
When detected in the early stages, the prognosis for breast cancer in men is similar to that in women of the same age whose cancer is at the same stage. Currently, around 84 percent of men with breast cancer will live five years beyond their diagnosis....culled
No Knowledge is lost! We learn everyday, thanks for thi beautiful piece Stella..
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Never knew men could also be victims to breast cancer! chaii.
ReplyDeleteThe emphasis is higher in woman because women are more likely to have breast cancer than men
ReplyDeleteNa wah ohhh....
ReplyDeleteAm hearing this for d first time here...is it for all these flat cheated dudes abi dudes who are obessed and hence got boobs like Rick Ross that stand a chance of having breast cancer? *confused**
ReplyDeleteBtw,Sterra hmmm I just noticed u've changed ur bb pin. Upgrading things on ur mind noni *shines teeth**
Indeed, men do get breast cancer too; since they also have breast tissues (albeit in lesser amounts). As always, early detection is key to the prognosis. God help us all
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Na wa ooo..just hearing this for the first time..hhmm!! I'm taking the awareness to ma friends and family at once..but life tho,its either u die from what u ve eaten,effects from sex or accidents inclusive(witchcraft,drugs and other forms are here)..but no matter what death is a must..its inevitable no matter the precaution u take!!
ReplyDeleteHian. Na wa o.
ReplyDeleteBLOG ANALYSER: very educative! Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteDis their estimate n predictions r very scary o.....may God his ppl
ReplyDeleteI choose to go anon on this post.
ReplyDeleteYes men too can have breast cancer. And it is usually more deadly wit dem bcos dey are likely to take d symptoms for granted since it is rare wit men. My dad had breast cancer too. He was diagnosed of breast cancer two years ago. He underwent tests here, went to India, did some more tests and chemo and had d breast removed last year. When i heard of it initially I was like 'wat? Breast cancer? In a man? And my dad for dat matter. Phew. To cut d long story short he is fine now, hale and hearty. Education really has a role to play cos uneducated people may prolly die of d ailment because of ignorance.
*bbmsurprisedicon*
ReplyDeleteHa men too?? I thought only women had breast cancer.
ReplyDeleteGood info. Amma tell every man around me.
ReplyDelete@Cakes by Luli grace, your comment shows how knowledgeable and current you are. I don't understand why people thought that only women were afflicted by breast cancer. All human beings have breast tissues so that alone makes breast cancer possible.
ReplyDelete~OLORI~