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Markstuart
Markstuart Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in Male Breast Cancer

Just been diagnosed with Male breast cancer from a biopsy taken from a 1cm lump.  I should no more this Wednesday when I meet with the Oncologist.

What questions should I ask?  How can I be sure everything is being done.

 Would also like to speak with any guys out there that have advise and hopefully positive stories.

Mark 

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited March 2012

    Welcome Mark! I'm a woman and am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. There have been posts by men, so you came to the right place. We even had a male physician posting recently regarding his diagnosis. I know now is the most difficult time... After diagnosis.. yet before treatment. Once you find out more information about the characteristics let us know and we will help with questions for your doctor. We will be here for you... We are just a keystroke away!

    Good luck!

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  • Markstuart
    Markstuart Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2012

    Thank you, please if the physician reads this let me know how your doing.  Once I know more I will post.

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited March 2012

    Mark -

    So sorry to find yourself in the position of being here, but this is the best forum around.

    Here is the bio on one of our our male members, firstcall.

    http://community.breastcancer.org/member/143239/profile

    You may want to read some of his posts, then PM him with additional questions.

    Hope this helps.

    Prayers for a good meeting with your Oncologist on Wednesday.....

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  • Markstuart
    Markstuart Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2012

    Thank you so much.

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  • ali68
    ali68 Member Posts: 1,383
    edited March 2012

    So sorry to hear your news I think it is much harder for men than woman to have breast Cancer. If you message Firstcall he will give you great advice and he is such a lovely guy, we all love him to bits. Also he will be so pleased to have a guy to talk too. He is on the chemo forum for feb.



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  • averagejoelemon
    averagejoelemon Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2012

    Mark.  Don't know if you've already seen the doc, but the questions should include whether you have lymph nodes involved, whether you are her2neu positive or negative, and whether your cancer is estrogen or progesterone receptive...your doctor can explain these things.  With a 1 cm tumor, you have great reason to be optimistic. When I was diagnosed in 2010, I found the ladies on this forum to be very helpful...the best thing I ever read was about "probability of survival." I think after diagnosis, people naturally are curious about their "chances" of survival.  You'll find out that your friends and family want to talk about that A LOT.  Again, the best thing I ever read on this site:  If you're alive, your "chances" of survival are 100%! If you're not, it doesn't matter, does it?  Best wishes to you.

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  • Markstuart
    Markstuart Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2012

    Thanks Averagejoe, surgery scheduled for March 27th where they will do a sentinal node biopsy then also.  They are telling me the Pappiloma cancer does not look invasive but seems to be contained within itself.  Estrogen and Progestaron results are due in tomorrow.  Genetic testing will be done this Friday.

    They are telling me if the sentinal test is negative that I may not need chemo, but maybe a a little radiation.

    Of course it all depends on the lymph node results, staying positive.

     Fell better today. 

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  • 1NippledBandit
    1NippledBandit Member Posts: 78
    edited March 2012

    If it is only 1cm, you are in great shape.  I am assuming that you will have the surgery soon.  Survival rates for breast cancer that is caught early are close to 97%.  I had many people try to get me to seek alternative treatments.  Get the surgery done.  They will test the lymph nodes at that time.  It is weird only having one nipple, buy you get used to it.  It's kind of fun to take off your shirt at a pool party now.  

    For now, learn all you can about your cancer type and treatments.  Depending on your age they may request a chest scan (X-ray) or a PET-CT scan.  These can help to see if the cancer has spread as they will show any tumors that are large enough to be seen.  I was 37 when diagnosed and it is rare for men to get it that young.  The average age for men is 65.  When my tumor was removed it was 1.5cm.  

     I hope that helps.   Let me know if I can answer any other questions.

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  • 1NippledBandit
    1NippledBandit Member Posts: 78
    edited March 2012

    I disagree with you.  It is much harder for women.  It is awkward for men to have a cancer that is predominantly associated with women, but our chests are not looked upon as a "sex" organ.  With a shirt on, nobody can tell that I only have one breast.  For women, it is much more of an identity issue.  That is the reason that breast implants are so popular.  

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  • Markstuart
    Markstuart Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2012

    Were your nodes clear?  How long did it take to for you to be up and about after surgery?

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited March 2012

    You are right 1Nipple, and with a little tattooing, you can be 2nipple Ben!

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  • Cherilynn64
    Cherilynn64 Member Posts: 342
    edited March 2012

    Mark did you get your test results back yet from the initial biopsy?

    My surgeon took 2 sentinel nodes when she did the lumpectomy to remove the tumor. They were negative. I had radaition done via the SAVI twice a day for 5 days about 10 days after surgery. My tumor was 1.5cm er+ pr+ her2- but grade 3....so was expecting possible chemo due to the grade of the tumor. However the Oncotype test was done on my tumor and it came back low so the MO said no chemo. My margins at surgery were very clear, too, so I was lucky. So keep the faith, you may not need chemo. 

    And just wanted to say I didn't know till tonight there were any men on these boards - I applaud you all for posting on here and having to deal with something that none of us should have to deal with. I too would think it's harder for men just due to the rarity, less support from male friends and peers (not because they're not willing to but it's just so rare and they wouldn't be expecting it from another man), etc....it's sucky we're all dealing with it. I have no cancer on either side of the family, so I did a big ole WTF when I got the news. I can't imagine being a guy and hearing I had breast cancer. 

    1Nipple - I'm in the Phoenix area, just wanted to wave hi!

    Mark good luck - please keep posting, I wish you the best of everything in this and we're all here for you. 

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  • Charles_Pelkey
    Charles_Pelkey Member Posts: 182
    edited March 2012

    Ali, I have to agree with Nipple. I think breast cancer is much, much harder on women than it is on us. I've had a bilateral masectomy and chemo. The whole thing was a pain, but we don't really have the connection to our breast tissue that women might have. There really is no way people would notice I am sans breasts or nipples, especially now that I am developing my chest muscles again. Going bald during chemo just made me look kinda hip, I guess.

    Anyway, Mark, I am sorry that you ended up here. It's a frightening diagnosis, but it's quite survivable. My genetic test came back positive for BRCA2, which is something of a pain. 

    Feel free to drop me a note if you have any questions about this or any other aspects of dealing with this crap. 

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited March 2012

    I came up with some questions last night, after I went through all my cancer crap, work crap. then I thought of your cancer. I found my sleeping pill on bedside table. tossed and turned all night.

    would your cancer be er+? men don't make estrogen. I guess you'll can make pr?

    do the same hormone receptors apply to male breast cancer?

    and how many cases of male breast cancer has your dr treated? and if he hasn't treated many would he mind you going to large clinic for some imput/guidance?

    funny things run through my head when I don't sleep

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  • Cherilynn64
    Cherilynn64 Member Posts: 342
    edited March 2012

    Each gender has both hormones. Women have testosterone and men have estrogen.

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  • Charles_Pelkey
    Charles_Pelkey Member Posts: 182
    edited March 2012

    fredntan,

    As to one of your questions, I consider myself fortunate. My surgeon and my oncologist have both treated several men with breast cancer. My oncologist says I am her fifth male breast cancer patient. She was terrific throughout the entire process. She has also been aggressive about contacting other oncologists around the country when needed, as when I had a strange cardiac side effect from Taxol.

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  • Markstuart
    Markstuart Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2012

    Thanks Charles, I meet my Oncologist this week surgery is March 27th.  I'll ask questions, how you doing now did you do chemo?

    Mark 

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  • Charles_Pelkey
    Charles_Pelkey Member Posts: 182
    edited March 2012

    Mark,

    Best of luck in your surgery. I am sorry you had the diagnosis, but it's great that you are addressing the situation head-on. Are you doing a lumpectomy or a mastectomy? I did both and, if I had to do it over again, I would have just gone ahead and done the whole thing first time through.

    Anyway, I am doing much better now. Chemo was a pain, but now that it's over, I am recovering quickly. I have a head full of silver hair, which is a big change, but aside from that, the experience is becoming a fading memory. I hope it stays that way. I have a follow-up visit with my oncologist next week. Let's hope I get the word that it's all clear now.

    Mark, don't hesitate to ask any questions. I am no expert in the field, but I sure know a helluva lot more about breast cancer than I did a year ago ... or ever wanted to.

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  • 1NippledBandit
    1NippledBandit Member Posts: 78
    edited March 2012

    I need to check back here more often.  Like Cherilynn said, men and women produce both hormones but in different amounts.  Estrogen dominates in women and testostorone dominates in men.  The breast tissue is men is exactly the same as in women but it is undeveloped.  

    My doctor had seen a few cases of male breast cancer.  I don't think it matters if they have or not.  Anatomically, we are the same.  I had the chance last week to attend a mastectomy with the surgeon who did my mastectomy.  I asked lots of questions about my surgery compaired to female who was being operated on.  She explained that it was the same but smaller.  The only difference is that women store more fat and their milk glands were larger.  I can attest to the fat.  I look at boobs a lot differently now having witnesses the surgery.

    Since my diagnosis, I have gone back to school and I am studying to be a nurse.  I start the nursing program in the fall.

    I wouldn't worry about how many cases of male breast cancer your doctor has seen.  I would check out your doctor.  I did with mine and found that she was highly reguarded and that she studied under one of the top surgeons in the Phoenix area.  It was comforting to me that she was good at what she does.

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