No Place To Turn

[commus]

I hope someone can tell me where to turn to talk to someone about this.
I feel very alone and like I am being blown off. Even when I try talking to my doctor it seems like he just doesn't have the time.
I am a 60 year old male. My mother's family has a long history of breast cancer. I had one great aunt who died at the age of 14. Another who dies at the age af about 30 and another who lived into her 80's but had to have a double radical mastectomy in her 20's (in the late 1940's). My mother had a single mastectomy when she was in her 60's and lived 20 years after that with no recurrance of the cancer.

I am (as I said) 60 and my health has taken a turn after many years of no major problems. In the past 2 years I have had a spinal (neck) fusion, Carpal tunnel surgery, a colonoscopy removing 6 polyps (benign) after finding intestinal bleeding. At the time of the colonoscopy (January 2009) I developed tenderness in my right breast.

Currently I have had soreness in the nipple area and some hardness. It is not a mass as seems to be mentioned but still the 2 months of soreness does worry me.

I have searched and searched for advice and someone to talk to about this. Needless to say, with my family history and the fact that there is such a high mortality rate among men with breast cancer , I am very concerned and feel like there is no one who cares to talk about it.

[japdip]

One more thought .... how about your local Health Dept. Just call them up and say "I have a lump in my breast -- what do I do now ???" There MUST be an answer out there somewhere. Beg if you have to ..... Good Luck.

[commus]

Many thanks for your responses, help, and support.

I do wish I could understand but no person or agency (Komen, hospitals, etc) will respond either by phone or mail.

Oh well guess after this long it must not be that bad even if it is still sore.

[japdip]

This may not be available in your area but some (actually most) hospitals & health departments offer free screening tests for un or under insured persons. You might call around. The Susan G. Komen Foundation also provides funding for breast issues. I don't think I would be too happy with your Dr. either .... at least a clinical breast exam should be done. One other thought ... if your local hospital has free screenings for other problems (maybe prostate concerns) then go for that and bring up the issue of the breast lump. At times we have to resort to unusual measures to attain our goals ... LOL. American Cancer Society is another place to call and if anyone would know, they would. Just keep asking .... the solution is out there somewhere ... you just have to find it. Good Luck .......

[commus]

Thanks you so much for your response.
One of the biggest problems is finances. I have had to foot all of the expenses related to the colon scare and since I am on disability this has seriously eaten into my finances. The insurance refused to pay for the colonoscopy stating that is was not a "regular preventive cancer screening" per their policy.

Now my insurance is refusing to allow any further follow-up on the breast as (1) I am male and ther rules are different for us in the policy as it relates to breast cancer and (2) since my primary physician has said "it is probably nothing" during an exam in which he did not even raise my shirt to look or touch me.
Are there any resources where an exam could be made without the insurance. Heck...to protect my life I'm willing to be a charity case...LOL

[japdip]

I would suggest that you mae an appointment with a Breast Specialist ... one can usually be found associated with larger hospitals. Males do indeed develop breast cancer and it usually occurs in the later years of life. You should have some sort of investigation ... either umtrasound or mammogram as well as a clinical breast exam by a Dr. who is interested in this field of medicine. You can search on the Internet for Physicians in your area who specialize in breast issues. Good Luck