Both females and males need to be aware of breast cancer. That’s right, men, it affects you, too.
According to the American Cancer Society, 2,000 men every year receive news that they have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Of those 2,000 men, 390 die. While this number sounds large, it is nowhere near the numbers in women, where breast cancer is 100 times more common than in men. Every year, almost 40,000 women die because of this particular type of cancer alone.
There are two different types of breast cancer. The first and most common is Ductal Carcinoma. It starts in the tubes, which move milk from the breast to the nipple. The other type is Lobular Carcinoma. This is when the cancer has infected the lobules, which is where milk is produced.
Two terms one should become more acquainted with are invasive and noninvasive cancer. Invasive breast cancer consists of cancer that has spread from the milk duct or the lobule to other tissue in the breast. Noninvasive means the cancer has not yet spread.
Risk of getting breast cancer does increase with age. Most cases in men take place between the ages of 60 and 70. Some symptoms to watch for are hard lumps that tend to form in the breast or armpit area. Sometimes a bloody or yellow, possibly green, fluid will leak from the nipple. If you encounter any of these symptoms, waste no time seeking medical attention.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Pacific University is setting up a display in the library to offer more information on the subject. They will also be handing out flyers with facts and have pink ribbons available.
To find out more, contact the Center for Gender Equity.
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