While men account for less than 1% of breast cancer diagnoses, 1 in 833 men will get breast cancer at some point during their lives.
Guardian Nurses Nurse Advocate Charlotte Jaroma, BSN, RN, recently shared her brother’s story on the Lighting Your Way Podcast to spread awareness.
After accidentally walking into a truck’s rear-view mirror, her brother noticed a lump in his chest that didn’t go away after a few weeks and went to the doctor to get it looked at. Turns out his little parking lot mishap saved his life — he was diagnosed with stage two ductal carcinoma.
In the 9 years after his double mastectomy, chemo, and radiation, he’s become a proud father.
Breast cancer symptoms in men include:
- A lump (usually painless) or thickening of the skin on the chest.
- Changes to the skin covering the chest, such as dimpling, puckering, scaling or changes in the color of the skin.
- Changes to the nipple, such as changes in the skin color or scaling, or a nipple that begins to turn inward.
- Discharge or bleeding from the nipple.
Nurse Jaroma’s Advice: Don’t dismiss symptoms of breast cancer just because you’re a man. “Be aware of your own body – any new lumps and bumps, and pains. And be your own advocate. Nobody knows you better than you. If you have a concern and your doctor is not listening to you, go to another doctor.”