Male Breast Cancer's Famous Face

Famed founding member of the rock band KISS, Peter Criss, is speaking out about male breast cancer. In an article found on cnn.com Criss is quoted as saying that he is the "luckiest man in the universe" for having survived this cancer.
Most men don't know that they can get breast cancer, but they can. There is a small amount of breast tissue behind the nipples on men, and even that tiny part can get cancer. Less than one percent of the breast cancer reported each year in the US is found in men, but that is still almost 2,000 men and of that, 440 die. Even though breast cancer is much easier to spot in men, lumps appear and are seen much quicker, diagnoses are usually made at later stages in the cancer. And as we all know, early detection is the key. Another contributing factor is that men tend to ignore the warning signs such as asymmetrical lumps, nipple discharge and pain in the breasts.
Criss, now in his 60's was working out in the gym in 2007 when he noticed that he had a painful lump on his left breast, and upon the advice of his wife (who was herself battling cancer) went and got it checked out. Now, a year later and cancer free, Criss is lending his fame to the cause of male breast cancer awareness.


As a cancer survivor my interest is always peaked when I see someone mention that they survived cancer too. Of course, October is breast cancer awareness month so right now we are seeing all the stories about breast cancer, so I was really interested when I saw that there was info out there about male breast cancer. As women we are told over and over again to be aware of our bodies, to talk to our doctors about changes in how things look or work. Men don't get that message very much, nor do most of them know that they have any breast tissue. Or, what I suspect, is that breast cancer is perceived as a "girly" disease and thus some men don't want to admit that they might have it. My own son had issues that prompted us to go see he nurse practitioner and ask about male breast cancer, that was when I learned about it.
I am so very glad that we now have a famous face to shed light onto this rare, but potentially deadly disease. Perhaps men will start to take notice of their breasts and be more aware in case something changes. It is like Peter Criss said in the article "It's just important -- just go get checked out. It's not like you're going to lose your manhood."