Forum Discussion

Craigmel's avatar
Craigmel
Member
12 years ago

Men Suffer Too

Well my father passed away with Male Breast Cancer 2 months ago and I was tested positive for BRCA 1. The most frustrating thing for myself and our family is the lack of awareness and promotion of Male Breast Cancer. Men suffer no different to women in some cases it's harder for them as Breast Cancer is perceived as a women's only disease, and nearly all facilities cater for women. As a male it can be difficult and embarrassing due to the lack of knowledge and understanding of the disease. My father suffered not only with the Breast Cancer, the embarrassment of people not understanding, he had to also suffer knowing he had passed the BRCA 1 gene to myself and possibly to his grand daughters as much as we tried to tell him that we may never have known I had it and now have an awareness, he still could not accept that he had passed it on. There is virtually no information for men on male breast cancer and very little public understanding and fund raising. Which to me is surprising - men can carry the BRCA gene and pass this gene on to there children un be known to them. There needs to be more education on male breast cancer and it effects on males and there family's. If there was more awareness in the public domain maybe we can save more lives! The awareness for women is phenomenal but the males sit in the shadows unbeknown that most women who carry the BRCA gene may have inherited it from there fathers! There needs to be more support and funding as men suffer just as much. Why not a Blue Ribbon Day?
BRCA1-BRCA2
male-breast-cancer
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    12 years ago
    So sorry to hear about your dad and that you have tested positive to the BRCA gene.I agree with everything you say.Perhaps you could start a special group for men in your situation on this network?The pink lady is our Bcna symbol,maybe we need a little pink man symbol as well.Something to think about?The staff at Bcna are a wonderful group of women and you could ring or email them about your thoughts.Blog back here anytime for info,support or to vent your feelings. Tonya
  • CarmelS's avatar
    CarmelS
    Member
    12 years ago

    Craig, so well said. There isn't much publicity for male breast cancer. While I am the fifth female in our family(over 2 generations) to have BC, I have three sons, I have spoken to the older ones about the risk that there is for them to get BC in the future. It is people like you that bring it to our notice. I hope you know your father would surely be looking down & be very proud that you are trying to highlight the problems that exist even today. I wish you all the best. This is the place to find out whatever you need to know.

    Carmel

  • CarmelS's avatar
    CarmelS
    Member
    12 years ago

    Craig, so well said. There isn't much publicity for male breast cancer. While I am the fifth female in our family(over 2 generations) to have BC, I have three sons, I have spoken to the older ones about the risk that there is for them to get BC in the future. It is people like you that bring it to our notice. I hope you know your father would surely be looking down & be very proud that you are trying to highlight the problems that exist even today. I wish you all the best. This is the place to find out whatever you need to know.

    Carmel

  • Mich_x's avatar
    Mich_x
    Member
    12 years ago

    Thank you so much Craig for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us.  I am very grateful for your honesty.

    I do feel for you, your family and for your late dad.  All that you have said is completely true and I agree that there should be more put out there about male breast cancer.

    Anyone on here got any suggestions or thoughts on this to help Craig and other men like him and his poor dad?

    I have been trying to remember from recent statistics  -  it is believed that at least 15,000 people in Australia would be diagnosed with BC this year. 14,000 women and 1,000 men but I am not sure I am correct on this.  Can someone give me the true facts please.

    Thank you again Craig

    Luv Mich xoxoxo