Just in case you hadn't noticed, this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Yes, there is a reason for the non-stop pepto-bismal-pink. And almost all the pinked press releases talk about women: donate, run, walk for your mother, sister, daughter. But don't forget about the men.

Breast cancer affects men, too. About 1% of all breast cancers occur in men. According to the American Cancer Society, each year there are slightly less than 2000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in men per year, and approximately 440 die from the disease.

Men have the same rate of survival as women, based on stage of diagnosis. The problem is that men often are diagnosed at a later stage. Men don't routinely think of themselves as being at risk for breast cancer, so may be more likely to ignore lumps or irregularities.

So men, pay attention to your body. If you notice any lumps or other changes, talk to your doctor. Don't just ignore it! Finding a cancer earlier rather than later improves your chances of survival.

As you're running & walking for breast cancer this month, wearing your pink ribbon socks, buying your pink ribbon donuts, chicken, or kitty litter, just remember that we're all pink this month.

Julie

- BY Julie Goodale | 10.16.2010

• Share This :
• Next »
• |
• « Prev

Comments : (0) | Post Comment