Call me eccentric if you like, but after a life time of caring for others within ailing health services in both the UK and Ireland; preventative treatment is worth so much more than trying to lock the door after the horse has bolted. Health Education is of paramount importance for us all.
Did you know that occasionally men report with the symptoms of breast cancer? Unfortunately the issue of men's health is a much neglected one at the best of times; but if you then have the temerity to add insult to injury by diagnosing what is primarily considered to be a 'female' disease; then what?
The investigative tests and treatments are the same, unfortunately the prognosis is poor; possibly due to the embarassment associated with the idea of Male Breast Cancer and the low incidence of information being made readily available?
Regardless; it is food for thought, isn't it? By the way, this is something I have direct experience of and I am not just quoting the reports and statistics; I used to be an OR Nurse and believe me it is Newsworthy; especially when it is a disease which can affect all ages...
Have a nice weekend and don't forget to check 'em out!
Polly Peirce
Did you know that occasionally men report with the symptoms of breast cancer? Unfortunately the issue of men's health is a much neglected one at the best of times; but if you then have the temerity to add insult to injury by diagnosing what is primarily considered to be a 'female' disease; then what?
The investigative tests and treatments are the same, unfortunately the prognosis is poor; possibly due to the embarassment associated with the idea of Male Breast Cancer and the low incidence of information being made readily available?
Regardless; it is food for thought, isn't it? By the way, this is something I have direct experience of and I am not just quoting the reports and statistics; I used to be an OR Nurse and believe me it is Newsworthy; especially when it is a disease which can affect all ages...
Have a nice weekend and don't forget to check 'em out!
Polly Peirce
4 comments:
Thanks so much for helping promote this worthy cause! While I was doing research, I did find that there were a lot of men that had breast cancer - it's not one bit uncommon and you can bet that my husband will be checked at his annual physical this year. :)
Thanks so much for the link!
When my youngest son was 12 I noticed he had a lump under his nipple. I did all the wrong things! I more or less did an ostrich act although I did keep an eye on it. Finally, after about a fortnight I contacted a girl friend who's a doctor and she was very reassuring but adamant that although it was almost certainly hormones and puberty etc he should be checked out.
It was hormones etc but boy I'm glad I went. The doctor doing the scan was very keen to explain that he was absolutely fine but even 12 year olds (boys and girls) can get breast cancer.
I wasn't going to post this as it involves my son but it occurred to me there might be other terrified "ostriches" out in cyber space.
I remember my own ostrich act only too well; never to be repeated!
Ignorance isn't bliss in this case, it is a killer. Too many of my friends have suffered because of it and of course the other big one; which is embarassment.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Jean; this is such a crucial area which is sadly overlooked.
And a big thumbs up to Karen and Scribbit for their articles and comments too!
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