By Evan Bollinger
As a Black man, you’ve got a lot on your plate. Whether it’s grinding day and night to put money in the bank, dealing with the kids and fam, or living the life of a single ready-to-mingle, time is always ticking. And the last thing you wanna be worried about is potentially serious health issues.
Especially breast cancer.
You heard that right, breast cancer. Now, you’re probably thinking, breast cancer affects Black men? Isn’t that a female thing? As if I don’t have enough on my mind, now you’re talking about breast cancer??
Here’s the thing though: according to the American Cancer Society and the CDC, breast cancer in men is not as uncommon as you may think. Actually, it’s even more common in Black guys – over 50 percent more likely than it is in white men.
But don’t go sweating just yet! Per the CDC, only one percent of diagnosed breast cancers in the U.S. are found in men. Not to mention, there are plenty of abnormal signs you can check for to make sure you’re good to go.
Screening yourself – and going to a doctor when things don’t seem right – can make a world of difference.
What’s Breast Cancer Like in Guys, Anyway?
First off, if it makes you feel any better, think of it as chest cancer, or pec cancer. But don’t kid yourself. You’ve got milk ducts just like the ladies, except in your case, they rarely, if ever, function.
Anyway, when it comes to cancer of the male breast, it’s got some pretty obvious signs. With fewer than three in 100,000 Black men diagnosed, it’s important to keep an eye out.
The symptoms can be strange enough that you immediately notice – but not always.
They include:
- Lump or thickness under the skin
- Puckered, dimpled skin
- Fluid discharge from nipples
- Lump/swelling in the armpit or near the collarbone
- Skin resembling the outside of an orange
- Red or ‘scaled’ nipples
- Nipples going inward
The easiest way to detect less obvious signs is by checking yourself. Just as you’d do a little feel and look for testicular cancer during a shower, do the same for breast cancer. Heck, you can even have your partner help you check to make it a little more fun!
The best way is to start with your mirror, tighten that Hollywood physique of yours, and look for any swelling or dimpling near your nipples.
Just remember: a lump isn’t the end-all-be-all. There are various types of breast cancer, so the symptoms vary. A lot of times it won’t hurt, and in the case of armpit or collarbone lumps, you might overlook it as something else.
What Happens If I Find Something?
As previously mentioned, the chances of breast cancer in Black men are still very slim. In fact, the average age of diagnosis isn’t till you’re about 72. You’re also more likely to get it if you have a family with breast cancer or a certain mutation in what’s called the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
If you’re worried about a possible family or genetic cause, you can always undergo genetic testing.
Of course, just because you notice the above symptoms, doesn’t mean you need to get worked up. It could be nothing, but it’s still worth bringing up to your doctor. You can even get a mammogram if your doctor has concerns.
As for prevention? One of the best things you can do is mind your risk factors. Being overweight, drinking like a fish, smoking marijuana excessively, and working in certain conditions like steel mills are all linked to increased risk.
If you’ve got issues with your liver, thyroid, or testicles, you may also be at higher risk.
When it’s all said and done, breast cancer in men is one of those things that, while rare, can be quite a surprise if you’re not actively screening. If caught early and the cancer’s just in your breast, your ‘survival rate’ – a scary term, I know – is great. As in, over 95 percent.
What Treatments Are There?
Again, it all depends on the stage of your cancer. If the cancer has spread, multiple surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy may be required. No two cases are the same, so it’s going to be personalized no matter what happens.
The procedures and technologies are so amazing today, that physicians can tell you how quickly your cancer may grow, and how likely it is to recur.
Rest assured, if you’re feeling down, cursing your luck that of all the guys you know, you got breast cancer, there are plenty of treatment options to get you back to feeling yourself!
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