I am like most men. We see the pink ribbons and think of a woman in our lives that is battling breast cancer. I'm 37 years old and the father of 4. Three days ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I have been absorbing a lot of information over the past few days. Statistically, a higher percentage of men die from breast cancer than women. It is because men do not catch it early enough. Nobody is looking for breast cancer in a man.
I noticed my first lump over a year ago. I went to my doctor and asked him about it. He told me that is was a lipoma and that I had nothing to worry about. He said to watch it and look for a change in size, color or if I experienced any pain. A year later I bumped my chest against a door frame and I experienced some strong pain. Much more pain than I thought I should have felt. I went to see a doctor again. I had moved since I first discovered it so it was a new doctor. He also told me that is was a lipoma but he saw that I was concerned and told me that he would order some tests to help ease my mind. Right now my chances of survival are in the 90%. I wonder what would have happened if I had not pushed to have it tested.
Great work has been done to raise awareness for women. Men need the same awareness.
Mesa, AZ
