PEORIA, Ill. — In October, we see pink ribbons and hear how women need to get their mammograms.
But, women aren’t the only ones who get breast cancer.
Gayle Young, Missions Director with the Susan G. Komen Memorial Affiliate in Peoria, said men can get breast cancer too.
“A lot of times because they don’t even think it’s possible, men tend to ignore it. Or, if they start thinking about it, they’re embarrassed, saying ‘I don’t want to tell my doctor,” Young said.
The stigma about asking their doctors about changes in breast health often delays men’s treatment that could save lives.
“They don’t think about themselves as actually having breasts. They think about it as their chest or their pecs, but they actually do have breast tissue,” Young said.
Young adds, any changes in breast health should be reported to your physician immediately, especially if breast cancer runs in your family.
Susan G. Komen Foundation has a goal of reducing the current number of breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by half by 2026. They aim to do that through research, ongoing care of breast cancer patients and survivors and education.
For information about where to get a mammogram, or other information about breast cancer from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, click HERE.
Here’s the full interview with Young:
