Some 58 percent of men in a poll last year said they delayed going to the doctor because they "felt fine" or could "tough out" whatever was ailing them. Many of us worry that our sons, husbands, fathers, etc., might not seek help when something's wrong, or even be aware of the health risks they face, including breast cancer.
June is National Men's Health Month, with National Men's Health Week set to begin June 9. That makes it a good time to remind the men in our lives about the importance of taking care of their health in general, and to remind them that men get breast cancer, too.
Breast cancer in men is rare -- only about 2,300 cases will be diagnosed in men in the U.S. this year and 400 men will die of the disease. It's not surprising that most people don't know that male breast cancer even occurs. Men are not routinely screened for breast cancer, and breast cancer doesn't leap to mind if and when they do seek medical attention.
That was the case with Darrell Skaggs, a 59-year-old U.S. Army Veteran and family man who went to the emergency room with severe pain on the right side of his body. He was shocked to learn that he had breast cancer. Now after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, Darrell now has no evidence of the cancer and is actively involved in educating others.
"I can live with that scar on my chest," he said, "but I wouldn't be able to live with the scar on my conscience knowing I had a chance to tell men about breast cancer and didn't."
We've also come to know women like Christine Forst of Rockville, Md., who tells everyone she meets online or in person, about breast cancer in men. Why? Because she lost her beloved husband, Paul, to the disease, and vowed to educate men and women about male breast cancer for the remainder of her life.
We appreciate people like Darrell and Christine who use their experiences to help others. Here's what men should know about breast cancer (all of which, and more, you can find on Susan G. Komen's website).
1. Know the risks. Older age, BRCA2 gene mutation, obesity, and a family history of breast cancer are some factors that increase the risk of breast cancer in men, although most men who are diagnosed have no known risk factors.
2. Know the warning signs
. The most common sign of breast cancer in men is a painless lump or thickening in the breast, chest or underarm area. Others include:
- Change in the size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling, puckering or redness of the skin of the breast
- Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
- Pulling in of the nipple (inverted nipple) or other parts of the breast
- Nipple discharge (rare)
For the record, any change in the breast or nipple should be examined by a doctor. It may not be breast cancer, but could be a benign breast condition that should be checked.
3. Don't delay seeing a health care provider. Some men may be embarrassed about a change in their breast or chest area, and therefore are hesitant to see a doctor, resulting in a delayed diagnosis. Options are greater when breast cancer is found early.
Treatment for breast cancer is basically the same for men and women and may include surgery plus some combination of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and/or targeted therapy. Survival for men is about the same as it is for women of the same age and cancer stage at diagnosis. However, men tend to be diagnosed at a later stage than women, possibly because they're less likely to report or act on symptoms early on.
Men also may be less likely to seek social support for their disease, but male survivors tell us it can be lonely and awkward to be the only male at the breast health center. Finding sources of social support through a cancer diagnosis is helpful for all breast cancer patients and co-survivors. Susan G. Komen has a number of other resources available.
One final note: Men are often the primary caregivers or co-survivors of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, and caregiving brings with it a plethora of physical, financial and emotional challenges that also can affect your health. Click here to connect with others, and for resources to make your journey a little easier.
In honor of National Men's Health Month, forward this to the men in your lives.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.