Men and breast cancer

Besides the fact that the chances of women getting breast cancer is approximately 200 times greater than men (250,000 women vs. 1,500 men, average numbers contracting the disease per year), why isn't there more alarm in the man's side of this equation? I am a male those regular physician dismissed the tumor in my breast for three years in a row. I recall him telling me not to worry about it. He even dismissed my concern that my left nipple had become inverted. I've had a mastectomy and radiation. I skipped chemo.

[japdip]

Not to offer an excuse or to place blame but in many cases I believe that males are more reluctant to bring up the subject of breast issues than are women. I am please to see that we do have questions here on this Forum from men and that's a good thing. I trust that you now have a different Physician for your general medical care; if not, you should. Second opinions are always encouraged to my way of thinking, even for a generalized complaint or concern. I hope that since you skipped Chemo you had no lymphatic involvement and that you are doing well now. Your situation is an excellent reason to share with your friends to help educate other men to be pro-active when it comes to health issues. Best Wishes

[Sue0871]

It takes people like you to bring male breast cancer front and center.  I know when I speak of my family history, I always mention that my father and mother had breast cancer.  If you have any daughters, they should be tested for the breast cancer gene.  For some reason, my father having breast cancer was more important to my oncologist than my mother.  For that reason I was sent for the BRACA tests.  My father thought that he had an ingrown hair and showed it to his dermatologist.  The dermatolgist sent him DIRECTLY to the surgeon and he too had a mastectomy.  He did not have to have any chemo because there was no lymph node involvement.  I hope you continue to be a spokesperson for male breast cancer.  Regards