LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum: Advice from Men Against Breast Cancer

For bringing your valuable perspective to Monday's forum. I like how you point out that breast cancer is a family issue, not just a women's issue; so many women are the rock of their family, as your mother is. When the foundation is shaken, the whole house trembles! I also like the idea of education for male caregivers. Of course - why hasn't anyone thought of that? So many male partners want to step up, but aren't quite sure how (I think of Danny, who posts to this site...) And the point about redefining survivor - there are millions of cancer survivors out there now, and that number will only increase as treatment gets better and better. But survival isn't without its own issues–physical, and emotional. Thanks for pointing that out. - PJH
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Excellent Marc, the faster we men are included in the recovery of our loved ones who have breast cancer the better the whole family will be . Education and support groups for husbands and family members should be just as much a requirement as med.'s and theropy are for the patient . When a wife /mother /sister, have a stronge well educated support group , there recovery can be so much more effective and positive. Sickness of any kind is hard , but when the sick person knows in there heart that they are loved and have a safety net when they fall, the strenght to fight becomes so much stronger. Husbands and loved ones are so important to recovery , and they need to bond together so they do not fall apart when they are needed the  most.We have made progress with treatment of cancer as far as the drugs go , now it is time to treat the spirit. We men can be so much for our wives and loved ones , but we are human and we need a place to go to bond together so we can go back home and continue the fight of our lives . Thank you for bringing this to light , Danny  

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Marc -

You bring up such valid points regarding hte role that men play in breast cancer recovery.  The support and care of our husbands and other men in our lives is invaluable and and the biggest part of recovering and accepting our new bodies.  Thanks for championing this cause for women and the men who support them. 

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