breast cancer in men

Hi Laura,

I am the mother of two young boys (10 and 5), so I understand your fears.

Breast cancer in men is MUCH less common than in women. Breast cancer in men under 60 is rarer still. The symptoms of breast cancer in men are very much the same as they are in women (breast lump, inverted nipple, discharge, itchiness, etc).

However, it is unlikely that you have the breast cancer gene (most of us don't. Is there a history of breast cancer in your family? Even then, you many not have the gene).

I know that, as a mother, you want to protect your kids from EVERYTHING, including cancer. Remember that kids are tremendously resilient. My advice to you is be really good to yourself right now, focus on your own treatment and doing good things for yourself- you deserve that and your whole family will benefit.

Take good care,

Laurie

Laura - I'm so sorry to hear about this and completely understand your concerns.  I don't have any boys, but I do have one girl, 8.  I was the 1st in my family to have cancer of any kind at 31.  My doctors told me that my daughter will have to start mammo at the early age of 21!  10 years prior to the age you were diagnosed.  While breast cancer may be rare in boys, you should at least advise them in their teens that there is a *small* chance they too could get it and that they should just be aware.....like when they are showering, just paying more attention to how their chest feels as they soap & wash - and report any unusual symptom or lumps to their doctor (or you) so they can stay on top of it.  Awareness is the 1st step in beating it.

Good luck to you & your boys!

Angi

My dad was diagnosed with breast cancer in the mid-1980's and underwent super-aggressive treatment for the better part of a year.  He remained cancer-free until 2003 when he was diagnosed with an unrelated cancer (at age 83).  Unfortunately, I inherited the BC gene from my dad; was diagnosed with BC in 2006.  My older sister got it too, and was diagnosed in 2008.  My dad's "sign" was a lump but since his breast tissue was far less than a woman's, it was easier for him to recognize - it "stood out" more.  I do not have kids, but I stress to my young adult niece and nephew that they need to be aware of their bodies and make sure their doctors are aware of "the BC gene" being in their family.