What Men Should Know About Breast Cancer Author:
March 6th, 2010
What Men Should Know About Breast Cancer Author: Sandy Francis
There is absolutely no way that any man can understand how women feel when they find a lump. Women are told
and taught to check their breasts on a regular basis, to be constantly aware that early location will
lessen risks in the worst case scenario. But how on earth does a woman feel if and when the nightmare is
confirmed?
A lump is found. First thought – What is it it? Was it there yesterday? Does it hurt? Please don’t let it be
that …..
Then it is essential, completely and utterly and totally imperative that a medical opinion is sought. Some
women are martyrs, and will probably wait, maybe hoping that the lump will disappear, and that nothing is
really wrong. Some simply don’t want to be seen to be wasting the doctor’s time. It is never a waste of
time to have a lump checked. While most women are more prone to fluid retention than men, and more rapid
changes in body composition, a lump is still a lump.
Doctors, surgeons, and experts tend to base their collective diagnoses on several criteria. Like the age
of the patient, her lifestyle, her current state of health, and whether her family has a history of breast
cancer. Between 5 and 10 per cent of breast cancers are genetic, but if the family carries one of the genes
there is an 85 per cent risk of cancer development.
Obviously, once a medical consultation has taken place, there will be tests. Lots of tests. Genetic tests,
which can now detect the breast and ovarian cancer gene BRCA1, mammagrams, or ultrasound tests. A woman
needs a immense support at this time. The waiting time varies, and the counselling sometimes might not be
adequate. It probably helps, but what can possibly prepare any woman for the news that cancer is present,
and a mastectomy is necessary? One, maybe both breasts will be lost. Not a finger. Not an ear. A breast.
Something that men see. Something that men like. Something that a woman might use to snag a man. Something
that makes her feel like a woman, sexy, attractive, vivacious. Something she needs in motherhood. Gone
forever.
So now it’s the 21st century, and surgical technology means that after months of chemotherapy, then a
mastectomy, then radiotherapy and reconstructive surgery, a woman can look whole, even if she doesn’t quite
feel it. But there’s the hair loss, the weight gain, the possibility of infertility, the constant testing
on the lymph system, the weight gain, and the feeling of lost femininity.
Men have to help their partners out. Some women may have surgery to increase the size of the lost breasts,
and may be more than happy with a new look. Men have to remember that a mastectomy leaves women with little
or no feeling. Temporary saline implants are the norm, but increasingly are being replaced with tissue
implants, using skin, fat, arteries and veins from another part of the body, usually the buttocks. These
microsurgery techniques are carried out over a lengthy period of time, as a permanent breast is built,
followed by nipple grafts.
Breast cancer takes its toll on both women and men, but to have part of the anatomy removed must be truly
crushing. Although one must assume that women who have been diagnosed with cancer are happy to remain alive
and well, the physical and emotional cost is high. With constant aftercare goes constant re-assurance.
Fear that the cancer might re-appear. That it might have spread. Women just seem to cope so well.
Guys, we need to help our women locate lumps, and in cancer cases, through the painful years afterwards.
There is no comparison that a man can make. Maybe having his penis removed, and replaced with a non working
piece of flesh, grafted from the buttocks. And how would we cope with that?
Categories: Uncategorized
What Men Should Know About Breast Cancer Author: Sandy Francis
There is absolutely no way that any man can understand how women feel when they find a lump. Women are told
and taught to check their breasts on a regular basis, to be constantly aware that early location will
lessen risks in the worst case scenario. But how on earth does a woman feel if and when the nightmare is
confirmed?
A lump is found. First thought – What is it it? Was it there yesterday? Does it hurt? Please don’t let it be
that …..
Then it is essential, completely and utterly and totally imperative that a medical opinion is sought. Some
women are martyrs, and will probably wait, maybe hoping that the lump will disappear, and that nothing is
really wrong. Some simply don’t want to be seen to be wasting the doctor’s time. It is never a waste of
time to have a lump checked. While most women are more prone to fluid retention than men, and more rapid
changes in body composition, a lump is still a lump.
Doctors, surgeons, and experts tend to base their collective diagnoses on several criteria. Like the age
of the patient, her lifestyle, her current state of health, and whether her family has a history of breast
cancer. Between 5 and 10 per cent of breast cancers are genetic, but if the family carries one of the genes
there is an 85 per cent risk of cancer development.
Obviously, once a medical consultation has taken place, there will be tests. Lots of tests. Genetic tests,
which can now detect the breast and ovarian cancer gene BRCA1, mammagrams, or ultrasound tests. A woman
needs a immense support at this time. The waiting time varies, and the counselling sometimes might not be
adequate. It probably helps, but what can possibly prepare any woman for the news that cancer is present,
and a mastectomy is necessary? One, maybe both breasts will be lost. Not a finger. Not an ear. A breast.
Something that men see. Something that men like. Something that a woman might use to snag a man. Something
that makes her feel like a woman, sexy, attractive, vivacious. Something she needs in motherhood. Gone
forever.
So now it’s the 21st century, and surgical technology means that after months of chemotherapy, then a
mastectomy, then radiotherapy and reconstructive surgery, a woman can look whole, even if she doesn’t quite
feel it. But there’s the hair loss, the weight gain, the possibility of infertility, the constant testing
on the lymph system, the weight gain, and the feeling of lost femininity.
Men have to help their partners out. Some women may have surgery to increase the size of the lost breasts,
and may be more than happy with a new look. Men have to remember that a mastectomy leaves women with little
or no feeling. Temporary saline implants are the norm, but increasingly are being replaced with tissue
implants, using skin, fat, arteries and veins from another part of the body, usually the buttocks. These
microsurgery techniques are carried out over a lengthy period of time, as a permanent breast is built,
followed by nipple grafts.
Breast cancer takes its toll on both women and men, but to have part of the anatomy removed must be truly
crushing. Although one must assume that women who have been diagnosed with cancer are happy to remain alive
and well, the physical and emotional cost is high. With constant aftercare goes constant re-assurance.
Fear that the cancer might re-appear. That it might have spread. Women just seem to cope so well.
Guys, we need to help our women locate lumps, and in cancer cases, through the painful years afterwards.
There is no comparison that a man can make. Maybe having his penis removed, and replaced with a non working
piece of flesh, grafted from the buttocks. And how would we cope with that?