October is Breast Cancer Awareness for BOTH women & MEN!

October is Breast Cancer awareness month.  

Be proactive and be very aware of any changes

 in your body--female or MALE! 

Did you know that breast cancer not only effects women, but also men? Yes it's true! Like breast cancer in women, cancer of the male breast is the uncontrolled growth of the abnormal cells of this breast tissue. Male breast cancer is a rare condition, accounting for only about 1% of all breast cancers.

According to the American Cancer Society:

*In 2012, approx. 2,190 new cases of invasive breast cancer male breast cancer will be diagnosed among men & about 410 will die from it.

*Breast cancer is about 100 times more common in women than in men. 

*A man's lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is about 1/10 of 1%, 

or 1 in 1,000.  

*Most cases of male breast cancer are detected in men between the ages of 60 & 70, although the condition can develop in men of any age! 

(This is true!  My college sorority sister's husband had it and he is in his 40's!)

The above mentioned husband of my college friend is lucky that he caught his breast cancer early and was proactive in getting it checked and doing something about it.  Many men wouldn't.  
They live in Massachusetts and I am so proud of them for being so active in male breast cancer awareness.  In fact, on Oct 1st their family went to the MA State house for the signing of the law establishing the 3rd week of October as Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week In Massachusetts!  Many congrats to The Selsman family for being so instrumental in getting this bill passed!!  You've made a difference and brought awareness---thank you!  We know it wasn't easy!  You should be proud!


(For more info on this event please visit: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2012/09/29/mass-wants-men-know-they-can-get-breast-cancer/wup3QFDuRrxXH4oQxLS65H/story.html)

Here's the photo taken on October 1, 2012 of my friend Kara Selsman, her husband & sons at the MA State House with Rep's Lou Kafka and Gov. Deval Patrick signing the law making the 3rd week in Oct. as Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week in MA.  CONGRATS!!!!

Here are a few signs & symptoms of male breast cancer:
*most common is: firm, non painful mass located just below the nipple.
*there may not be other associated symptoms
*possible change in the nipple area
*possible discharge from the nipple can occur
*possible pain at the site (if the cancer has spread)

For more information please go to the breast cancer home page:
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast

In loving memory of those that lost their courageous battle...in celebration of those that have conquered it...and many thanks to those that have made a difference!

XOXO,
Core Chic Jodi









Credits:  
The American Cancer Society
The Selsman Family of MA