Breast Cancer Awareness Month-Males Get Tested Too

This is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I know several bloggers have blogged on making sure that women out there get their annual mammogram (if they in that age range) but I am going to suggest men do as well. I know it is a "taboo" subject but understand that men too are diagnosed with breast cancer.

The following information is from the Mayo Clinic, Men also have breast tissue that can undergo cancerous changes. While women are about 100 times more likely to get breast cancer, any man can develop breast cancer. Male breast cancer is most common between the ages of 60 and 70.

The prognosis for male breast cancer is the same as for breast cancer in women. In the past, male breast cancer was often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, which may have led people to believe it had a worse prognosis. Although male breast cancer and breast cancer in women are similar, important distinctions such as breast size and awareness affect early diagnosis and survival in cases of male breast cancer.

The most common signs for men and women are:

The most common sign of breast cancer for both men and women is a lump or thickening in the breast. Often the lump is painless. Other male breast cancer symptoms include:

• Skin dimpling or puckering
• Development of a new retraction or indentation of the nipple
• Changes in the nipple or breast skin, such as scaling or redness
• Nipple discharge

Prevention

To help reduce your risk of breast cancer, maintain a healthy body weight and avoid heavy alcohol use. Early detection also increases your chances of surviving the disease. So if you develop a breast lump or other abnormality, seek prompt care.

As a cancer survivor myself, I implore people not to wait too long if you suspect anything wrong with your body. It is so important to be proactive, instead of reactive.