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Health & Fitness

Men Get Breast Cancer, Too

On February 20, my life changed forever when I learned that I had breast cancer. The road to a curewas a journey I never anticipated since, as a man, I knew that my cancer was rare. In the United States, only 2,100 men get breast cancer each year compared to more than 230,000 women.

This infrequency means men and their doctors don’t initially consider breast cancer as a diagnosis, though the same signs and symptoms are alarming for women. Frequently, men get diagnosed at later stages than women, causing a delay in treatment when time is so crucial. As a result, men’s breast cancer mortality rate is higher than women’s.

Knowing the risk of breast cancer can help patients seek more effective, timely care. After discussing my situation with my doctors–Cynara Coomer, MD, and Carolyn Raia, MD–I decided to share my diagnosis publicly to raise awareness.

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Today, my treatments are behind me and I am fortunate to have a second lease on life. By going public, I hope and pray that I have influenced a more positive outcome for others.

Let’s not put up a barrier because of gender. We all should pay attention to this: Men get breast cancer.

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This post was written by Anthony Ferreri, president and CEO of Staten Island University Hospital and executive director of the western region of the North Shore-LIJ Health System.  

For more North Shore-LIJ Health Blog posts, go to http://blog.northshorelij.com/ 

Contents of the health blog are the property of North Shore-LIJ Health System and are provided as a health resource for consumers, health care professionals and members of the media. The medical content on the North Shore-LIJ Health Blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for consultation with your physician regarding diagnosis, treatment or any other form of specific medical advice. These materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "North Shore-LIJ Health System," "North Shore-LIJ," "northshorelij.com," "VivoHealth," their related entities and logos are trademarks of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. Copyright © 2011 North Shore-LIJ Health System. All rights reserved.

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