My father needs mammogram

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Chrisesta67
Chrisesta67 Member Posts: 46
edited June 2014 in Male Breast Cancer

On Thursday of last week, I had my first follow-up mammogram since my breast cancer treatment journey. I think I'm okay. A follow-up MRI in six months. 

However, on that same day - which was also my father's 79th birthday - my father was notified by his cardilologist that the CAT scan he had about a week ago is showing something on his breast, his aorta, and his lung. The first tests to be done will be a mammogram and an ultrasound (both scheduled for tomorrow). 

I'm stunned. Breast cancer has hit my father's side of the family so hard. My grandmother and her sisters, my paternal aunt, even my male cousin has tested positive for the familial BRCA1 gene mutation (his mother, my aunt tested positive for the mutation back in the 1990s). I've actually tested negative for the mutation. But maybe my father has the BRCA1 mutation. He's never wanted to be tested. 

Does anyone here have experience with breast cancer in men? 

Comments

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited March 2014

    hi Chrisesta,

    Glad to hear that you are doing well but sorry to hear about your father. There is a forum on bco dedicated to male breast cancer.  If you use the search function you will be able to find it. Obviously, since bc is less common in men, it's not as active as other forums, but I believe there are several men who actively post. Hoping for the best for your dad.

  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited March 2014

    Chrisesta, here is the link to the BCO forum mentioned above.  http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/51   I hope both you and your father will be ok.

  • Chrisesta67
    Chrisesta67 Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2014

    Many thanks to both of you! I feel fine and I'm confident that my first follow-up mammogram since completing BC treatment will be okay. My father is scheduled to have a biopsy next week. Of all the people in my family who I worry about in terms of a BC diagnosis someday, my father hadn't crossed my mind. He should have, though. The BRCA1 gene mutation has been found in his family. Anyway, thank you for replying to my inquiry. I'll definitely take a look at the BCO forum.

  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited March 2014

    Chrisesta, we're here if you need us.

  • 1NippledBandit
    1NippledBandit Member Posts: 78
    edited March 2014

    I hope that your father follows through with his testing and that he comes out negative for cancer.  Males do get breast cancer (about 1% of all breast cancer is male).  The average age for men is 65.  It seems to be a late in life disease for men.  

    Best of luck.  Let me know if I can answer any questions.

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