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Topic: 30 year old male with breast cancer

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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1
  • Posted on: Mar 10, 2008 05:36 pm, edited Mar 10, 2008 05:37 PM by sooners15
sooners15 wrote:

I am a 30 year old male just diagnosed with breast cancer.  I am trying to do research to find more info., but I am not finding much information related to men with breast cancer especially at 30 years old.  Does anyone know of a male around my age that was diagnosed with breast cancer?  It seems almost unheard of?  Since it does seem to be so rare it just raises alot of questions?  Any information would be greatly appreciated...

Posts 1 - 10 (10 total)
AnneW
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2000
Mar 10, 2008 06:11 pm AnneW wrote:

Sooners,

You are certainly in the minority. I don't personally know of any young men with breast cancer. But over on www.bclist.org there are a few men with bc, and they are very knowledgeable. I'm sure they can point you in the right direction for resources.

We're always here to help, too. Much of the treatment will be the same for you as for us.

I'm so sorry you're joining the club. It's not for girls ony, but we hate having to get ANY new member...

Good luck finding the right support. I'm sure someone else will chime in soon with other options.

Anne

Anne
Dx 9/18/2007, ILC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
TenderIsOur…
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3041
Mar 10, 2008 06:12 pm, edited Mar 19, 2008 01:13 PM by TenderIsOurMight TenderIsOurMight wrote:


Hey sooners15,

Want to say I'm sorry about your diagnosis, and glad you found this forum. There is a "men with breast cancer" thread if you scroll down the threads which you probably would get quicker response on. You may wish to look through the posts and even consider private messaging one of them if no one comes by in a responsible amount of time.

We ladies here too are great at answering breast cancer questions, should you need us as backup.

I believe also, on the HOME page of breastcancer.org, there is a section addressing male breast cancer.

As your situation is less common, I sure do hope you'll use us as Q & A, because I'd hate to see you alone when were all about giving support and help, especially at how to find great doctors, and what to ask and expect from them, and even clinical trial information.

Take care, and post all you wish. There's someone online 24/7 for us all.

Tender

It cannot be emphasized too strongly that treatment of each patient is a highly individualized matter. (FDA-approved labeling for warfarin (Coumadin) NDA 9-218/5-105)
leaf
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2428
Mar 10, 2008 06:17 pm, edited Mar 10, 2008 06:21 PM by leaf leaf wrote:

Welcome to our board! &(*)*& that you need to find us, but glad you did.

Make sure you check out the Male Breast Cancer forum, below.

Here's some links.

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/male_bc/index.jsp

The studies may not give you a real well-rounded view, but they are from academic journals. I try to tell the good, bad and ugly, so I hope you don't mind that. Just wanted to warn you just in case.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18210656?ordinalpos=4&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18025919?ordinalpos=8&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17257089?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17606375?ordinalpos=27&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17551446?ordinalpos=33&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Title only, no abstract:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16176240?ordinalpos=13&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

You may want to EVENTUALLY consider being genetically counseled by a board-certified genetics counselor. (This is usually done at major institutions or universities.) They should not pressure you for or against genetic testing. One website that is particularly focused on BRCA mutations is the FORCE website http://www.facingourrisk.org . On that website there is at least one regular poster who is male. Not sure if he has breast cancer, but if not, I think he does carry a BRCA mutation.

If you're going through hell, keep going-Winston Churchill
Shirlann
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6166
Mar 10, 2008 08:54 pm Shirlann wrote:

Hi, and welcome to this site.  We are a bunch of very determined, strong women who would love the opportunity of helping you through this journey.

I am 9 years post treatment and doing just fine.  Thousands of us, men and women, do fine after treatment, a fact that is seldom mentioned.  I know at least 30 women and men who are fine after many years.  The oldest survivor died of old age at 96 after a double mastectomy 42 years ago.

So hang in there, come often to post, no question is too unimportant, and God bless you, you will be fine.

Gentle hugs, Shirlann

MREanes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 86
Mar 10, 2008 09:27 pm MREanes wrote:

Sooners,

I'm very sorry to hear that you've joined the club.  I'm male, but I was 53 when diagnosed in 2005.  I can tell you that much of the treatment for men is the same as it is for the ladies. 

You will find lots of support and advice from the members of BC.org.

They are very knowledgeable and compassionate.

I will be happy to answer any questions about my treatment, experience, etc.  You can send a private message if you prefer.

Take care,

Mike

WorriedWife…
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 18
Mar 13, 2008 10:43 am WorriedWife wrote:

I just wanted to say that my husband is 31 and had a suspicious lump a few months ago.  It turned out to be benign, but the surgeon was very worried about it.  He said he only had 3 male BC cases in his 15 year career, and 2 of them were late 20s, early 30s.  All of the info I found online seemed to indicate older men were more at risk for BC, but according to our surgeon, around 30 seems to be even more common.

My prayers and thoughts are with you. 

TannB
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 6
Mar 20, 2008 02:49 pm TannB wrote:

HI Sooner,

I'm sorry to have to welcome you. I'm 39 and newly dx. as well. Were you able to talk to Mike who posted. He is right about the treatment being the same for men and women. It just happens way more often in woman. We don't have prostates. Do you have a family pedigree of woman and men in your family who have bc? Even though at this time a pedigree won't help you much at this time, it will allow for more knowledge about genetics and how they play a part in the grand scheme of things.

What is your doct. suggesting at this time? Have you had a lumpectomy and pathology on the tumor?

Please use the online chat. We all want to be there for you. Sometimes we have bad days and need to talk about our dx. and other days it is so hillarious, the laughter get us through the day. You will be surprised at how funny boobs can really be! :-)

PLEASE don't try not to isolate yourself and feel alone in this Bullshit diagnosis! It sucks, but we are here for you.

We have a lot of info on various dx, tx options, positives, negatives, side effects, successes, not so successes, to share. Sometimes when you go online, it is way too chatty for your mood. just log off and come back when it is quieter and you can get answers.

 I'm sending you cyber hugs.

TannB

Marsha2003
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1979
Mar 23, 2008 11:11 pm Marsha2003 wrote:

I know of one young man, I think he was 32 at dx.  His name is Jason and you can E-mail him through his company at www.vroomfoods.com.  I suspect he would be happy to talk to you about issues unique to young men with breast cancer.

livesstrong…
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1877
Mar 24, 2008 09:26 am livesstrong wrote:

Sooner,

Sorry to hear you had to join the club but happy you came here for help.

This is a great place to get the answers you need.  Please check the forums the girls above suggested.  From what I understand the treatment is pretty much the same for both men & women.

Good Luck & keep in touch.

Valerie

Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
caretaker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1
May 14, 2008 11:22 pm caretaker wrote:

Sooners15,

Sorry to hear your news.  My husband was diagnosed with breast cancer 1999 age 29.  We struggled with the same problem, really difficult to find info relating to men.  We live in the Boston area and fortunately were able to find a great surgeon and oncologist.  After surgery and treatment less a couple of scares now cancer free.  Although sadly , I am looking for info now because he has unusual symptoms in his other breast. We both wish they did a dbl mastectomy to reduce these worries.  Waiting now for results from testing done today.  If you had any specific questions I would be happy to try to help.  You are welcome to send a private message.

Good luck our thoughts are with you.

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