Kiss rocker-Peter Chriss DX'd

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Rachel_BC
Rachel_BC Member Posts: 1,386
edited June 2014 in Male Breast Cancer
Kiss rocker: Breast cancer can happen to men, tooComments: 4APLast Updated: 11:20 AM, November 19, 2009Posted: 2:47 AM, November 19, 2009 PRINT EMAILdropdown SHARErss RSSSPRING LAKE, NJ -- Lying in bed one night in 2007, Peter Criss felt something strange: a small lump on his left breast."I thought, 'It's a nodule, I'm a guy, I don't think it's anything more than that,' " he said. "The more I messed with it, the bigger it got and the more it hurt, and that started really scaring me."The 63-year-old Kiss drummer underwent tests and a surgical procedure to remove the lump. A week later, the doctor called. It was breast cancer."My heart hit my stomach and my knees buckled," Criss recalled.The good news was that Criss had caught the disease at its earliest stage. After a second surgery, he did not need chemotherapy, radiation or medication.Now, the rocker who once performed in Catman makeup is speaking out about his illness to encourage other men to get tested."The more you sit around and say, 'Well, it's going to go away,' that time could be the time that you save your life," he said.Men account for only 1 percent of all breast-cancer cases, but about 2,000 men develop it each year, and 440 die from it, according to the National Cancer Institute."I am the Catman, and I do have nine lives," Criss said. "But I think I'm down to five now."

Read more:http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/kiss_rocker_it_can_happen_to_men_rWYLILjBe9a6Pi7qMBtJaN#ixzz0XcX7YzCQ
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  • sherridl
    sherridl Member Posts: 42
    edited November 2009

    I looked on this site because I know of someone who was recently diagnosed, but unfortunately, it had already spread.  He is in his early 40s with small children.  Fortunately for us women there is lots in the news regarding breast cancer, but most people never hear about bc in men unless it hits a celebrity.  I wonder how many men die not knowing that their original cancer was in their breast?  True, it is more rare in men, but the fact that men do get this type of cancer needs to be more in the news.

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  • MJLToday
    MJLToday Member Posts: 2,068
    edited January 2010

    I'm glad he is speaking out about it.

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  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 7,002
    edited January 2010

    I told my DH to do BSE, he just laughed.  What a DH.

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited June 2010

    I agree...   I work at a little produce market, and last week, a man came in to the store.  He was the 'bug' guy, so when he gave me the receipt to sign, I made some small talk.  I mentioned that I am having a fundraiser for my bc walk, and it is a putt putt golf tournament, so I thought he might be interested in going.  He said that he would tell his wife, so she could try to get a team together.  But after I told him, there was a moment of silence.   Then, he looked at me, and said...   This is a stupid question, but...  can MEN get breast cancer?   I said YES....  I told him about Richard Roundtree, and one of the guys from KISS...  I couldn't remember...  Peter Criss...  

    Anyway, the MEN in our lives should FEEL THOSE BOOBIES!!

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  • squidwitch42
    squidwitch42 Member Posts: 2,228
    edited June 2010

    we need to get the info out there...another overlooked group is transgendered male to female. I know some great nurses in public health who help advocate for the LGBT populations. 

    Lets keep up the dialog!

    Traci

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited June 2010

    Yes, there needs to be more info. about male breast cancer.  I had the feeling from that guy, that he was thinking, 'great... another 'womens issue'....    but he was surprised when I told him that yes, men CAN get breast cancer.

    Harley

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  • mcbird
    mcbird Member Posts: 381
    edited July 2010

    I think we really need to get this message out for the guys in our communities.  I live in a small town in NM and I know two men with bc.  I think it will eventually be discovered that this is more prevalent than we think.  Darla

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  • Eden127
    Eden127 Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2010

    Hi, I have been diagnosed with IDC a week back. So men do get Breast Cancer!!.  I think it is stage III, spread to my right arm pit. This week doing the ground stuff. Doc. recommended Chemo to shrik the tumor down and subsequent surgery to remove. I am more worried about Chemo. I am staying positive and feel sure to get cured. I am not much of a believer so don't think praying at this stage will help!!.

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  • Larry44
    Larry44 Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2010

    Eden,

    Yes, men can get breast cancer.  I did.  Chemo was no where near as bad as I expected it to be.  My thoughts will be with you.

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited July 2010

    Eden,

    I believe that praying helps, so I will be praying for you...   

    I'll be thinking of you, and hoping all goes well with your chemo and surgery.  Don't worry about chemo, you can do it.  

    I am a three year bc survivor, and if I can do it, then SO CAN YOU!!

    HUGS

    Harley

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited July 2010

    Larry44

    HUGS to you!!  We SURVIVORS have to stick together and stay STRONG!!

    HARLEY

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited July 2010

    Hi Eden ... welcome to our family!

    Under the "Just Diagnosed" forum near the top, you will find a thread for non-believers, atheists and agnostics.

    Here's the link to that thread

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/5/topic/698779?page=77#idx_2295

    You'll find lots of support on this site, no matter what your beliefs.

    Hugs,

    Bren

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  • Eden127
    Eden127 Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2010

    Thanks Harley44, BinVA. It feels great to be in this forum!. I find a lot of information and a lot of solace in this forum. I am gaining my confidence back as each day goes by. I need the initial shock to wear off. More importantly, I feel sharing my experience might help more males that are diagnosed with breast cancer. I don't find much information on Male breast cancer. I will be posting my experiences starting with pre-treatment stuff on till the end and hope men that have similar ailment can understand this disease better.

    How identified:

    About 3 or 4 months prior to visting my family doctor, I used to have an occasional itch on my right nipple, uncomfortable but thought nothing of it.  Couple of months back, I was shaving my arm pits and noticed my right arm pit looks bulkier than my left arm pit. Thought nothing of it, as I did not have any discomfort or pain. I am right handed and frequently golf, so I thought may be I have a better developed muscle on the right than the left!!. The arm pit kept growing and just after a game of golf, I was itching my right breast and felt a small hard ball just above my nipple. Went home and examined right side of my chest and found a small lump the size of a glass marble just over the nipple.That's when I decided to see my doctor. Then the ultra-sound and biopsy followed and of course it was determined that I have IDC.

    Currently, I have had Bone Scan done yesterday, and the next is CT scan of my chest tomorrow. I golf on July 28th and see the specialist for Chemo on the 29th. 

    More to come...

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited July 2010

    Eden,

    Thanks for sharing you experience. I think it is great that you are sharing.  There ARE so many people who think that breast cancer is 'just' a women's issue.  I just spoke at a networking meeting to get help for my fund raiser that I am doing next month.  I was talking to a couple, and the wife said:

    Oh, I'll get together a group of my girl friends, and we'll attend your fund raiser event.  

    The man said:

    Oh... you women...     

    So I proceeded to tell him that breast cancer is NOT just a 'women's issue'....   Richard Roundtree and Peter Kris   also had breast cancer....

    Kudos to you, for bringing male breast cancer awareness to EVERYONE!!!

    Hugs

    Harley

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  • Eden127
    Eden127 Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2010

    Hi All,

     First let me appologise to Larry44, since I did not mention my thanks to him in my last post.

    Bone Scan:

    I was injected with a Radioactive substance and was asked to return after 4 hrs for the scan. In the meantime I was to drink a lot of fluids and use bathroom as much as possible. The scan went OK, no problem at all. It took almost 45 mins. to scan the entire body. No discomfort or no side effects for the next day or the day after.

    CT Scan,

    My CT was scheduled for today. Had to show up an hour before the scan to get a radio active substance injected and then drink 2 large drinks of a soft drink, almost 1-1/2 to 2 liters. I had to drink this slowly, like 20 mins for each drink and hold it in my bladder. Once inside the CT room, I was made to lie on the machine and once ready a "dye" was sent through the same intraveneous needle that was left on me. When the dye was injected my entire body was on fire for about 20 secs. like I had a high fever. It was not scary though, did not lost long. Rest of the scan went well and after about a 10 min, wait I was asked to go. I was good for the next hour, but felt growling noises in my stomach. Had to use the washroom. One of the side effects of the dye is stomach upset. But I got over it quickly and hoping I won't have any more reactions. My next appointment with the Oncologist is on the 29th and may not have anything to post till then. I have a golf game scheduled on the 28th and I intend definitely playing that game. One of our business associates is coming down from Ohio and I don't want to miss playing with him. Cheers all!!

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  • Stanzie
    Stanzie Member Posts: 1,971
    edited July 2010

    My father-in-law has just been diagnosed with BC. He is in his 80's and not in great shape so that is very scary. It is small about 2 cm. but we don't know what type yet. Also don't know what kind of surgery he might have to have lumpectomy or mastectomy. Part of it is the worry over the lenght of surgery and part is whether he could tolerate radiation and such.

     He was told that men from age 50-70 are at highest risk for BC. 

     

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited July 2010

    Stanzie,

    I am sorry to hear about your Father in law.  Please keep posting to let us know how everything is going.  

    Sorry but I can't advise about which type of surgery would be best for him.  What does his surgeon recommend?

    Hugs

    Harley

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  • Larry44
    Larry44 Member Posts: 53
    edited July 2010
    Stanzie,

    Your father-in-law's doctors are in the best position to advise him about treatment. I can tell you that most men choose mastectomy even when given a choice. Most patients who have a mastectomy don't need radiation. There is really a small difference for a man between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy. I chose a lumpectomy but have little observable breast tissue left for the affected breast.

    The need to have chemo or not is dependent upon the details of the patient's case and is not related to the choice of a mastectomy or lumpectomy. My oncogist is reluctant to give chemo to older patients. My oncologist told me that if I had been over 70 he would not have recommended chemo for me.

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  • Eden127
    Eden127 Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2010

    Hi Stanzie - I am so sorry to hear about your father-in-law. I am sure the doctors will decide what's good for him and will not consider any treatment that may put him to difficulties beyond what he can endure. The treatment for cancer has come a long way and I have every confidence on the doctors that treat us. Has your father-in-law gone through biopsy to determine BC or is it just a suspicion at this stage?

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  • Stanzie
    Stanzie Member Posts: 1,971
    edited July 2010

    He has had a biopsy so they know it is cancer. His apt with the breast surgeon is on Wednesday.

    I chose to have more surgery - mastectomy - so I wouldn't have to do radiation so I'm sure that will also be figured into everything. I was wondering about the difference in male mastectomy and lumpectomy so thanks for that information.

    He isn't very good at asking questions and won't have anyone with him at this next apt. but his family will be able to call and talk with the doctors with questions and he will have family with him when ever they do the surgery. Anyone know how long recovery is for this as he wouldn't be having any reconstruction so just wondering how different it is. Thanks. 

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