Men Get Breast Cancer Too

Breast Cancer Does Not Discriminate

Men Get Breast Cancer Too! Breast Cancer is not a death sentence but a wake-up call! Vanity or Morality? Life lessons-Life-Personal Development-Health

This can’t be stated enough!! All men, check yourselves out!! Yes, we know there is a stigma associated with male breast cancer but don’t allow stigma to be the death of you. Choose life of choose death, is the realty of accepting or not accepting. You have one life to live, don’t live it in ignorance and don’t die due to ignorance.

My first time hearing of men with breast cancer was about seven years ago via Facebook. Since that time, I have encountered numerous others who had gone public with having or dealing with breast cancer. This revelation yet have not reached the masses where men are proactive.

While in Waterville, Maine for my solo show, “I Question America-Legacy of Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer” I sat watching television and was astonished when I heard that Matthew Knowles would be a guest. I glued myself to the show because he was the first African American man that I had seen to come on national television and discuss his journey with breast cancer. I didn’t know he had a bout with breast cancer prior to this show.

He revealed that he is battling breast cancer with his new wife at his side whose sister recently died of breast cancer and her mother was also affected by breast cancer. Also, in another case of male breast cancer prior to Mr. Knowles was a husband and wife who were diagnosed with breast cancer around the same time. Also, another male who remains nameless at this writing has been very public on social media regarding his journey with breast cancer. The later cases to my knowledge are survivors.

Matthew Knowles is Beyonce Knowles-Carter father and former manager. On Tamron Hall show, he recently announced that he was battling with stage 1A breast cancer. He addressed coming to terms with his diagnosis and the stigma attached to male breast cancer and how he discovered he had breast cancer.

He discovered that there was blood coming from his nipple as he wore a white T-shirt, the first time he saw the blood spot, he dismissed but the second time he saw a blood spot gave rise to concern and by the third day, a couple of days later nothing but the fifth day was a wake-up call, more spotting and off to the doctor he went.

His family had had a history of breast cancer. His mother’s sister died of breast cancer, his mother’s sister’s two and only daughters died of breast cancer and his sister-in-law died of breast cancer and his mother-in-law had breast cancer. Also, his current wife’s mother has breast cancer.

Breast cancer advancement for women is improving more rapidly than in the past while male breast cancer research is minimum and less substantial. Nowadays, female breast cancer is common, (1–8) and rare for men, (2000 to 3000 cases a year), per Dr. John Kiluk.

A mammogram showed he had breast cancer while an ultrasound and needle biopsy confirmed breast cancer. He underwent surgery immediately and had a mastectomy. Shortly thereafter, he was informed afterwards that he had the BRCA2 gene mutation via genetic testing. Normally, the BRCA2 gene is indicative of future increased risk of both male breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer and melanoma.

BCRA2 gene per Dr. Kiluk, “Usually the most common gene that we associate with male breast cancer is the BRCA2 gene and that’s probably the most common gene I come across with our male patients. One in 400 people carry a BRCA gene.”

Mr. Knowles is a perfect example alerting men to be proactive regarding their health and more specifically breast cancer. Also, he has become proactive by having an MRI for pancreatic cancer, MRI for prostate and had two moles removed. All is fine as he awaits the results for the prostate at this writing. He is more proactive than ever and serves as a role model for men and removing the stigma of having breast cancer. Also, he plans to have the second breast removed to reduce the risk of repeat breast cancer. Removing both breast reduced breast cancer recurrence to 2%. Note, his kids (daughters) have a 50% chance of inheriting the BRCA gene mutation.

He has become a proponent for early detection for men and to be an example that with early detection one can lead a normal life. Breast cancer is not a death sentence but a wake-up call. Early detection lowers the mortality rate. With advance detection technology and medicine, stage 1 or stage 2 breast cancer patients have a really good shot at a normal life. It’s all about doing and being proactive.

Also due to the stigma associated with breast cancer, it is wise to get a support team. Get inform and being informed is the key for a better wellness journey. If you don’t go to the doctor, delaying could be crucial to survival of any dis-ease in the body. Yearly checkup is not highly overrated but should be mandatory in everyone’s book, including men.

When it comes to stigma, your life is first, all else is a mute discussion. Don’t allow vanity to write a check you can’t cash. Treat your body well and it will serve you well.

Below is the full article pertaining to Mr. Knowles’ journey with breast cancer and what he wants all men and their family to heed!! Knowledge is powerful and ignorance is deadly, literally. Also, check out the second article pertaining to men’s mortality with breast cancer.

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