Male Breast Cancer

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07/07/23

(KUTV) Statistics show one out of eight women will get breast cancer, but breast cancer is not just a concern for women. Less than one percent of men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.Jeff Stokes was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Last December I noticed I was itchy on my left breast, Jeff said.Jeff Stokes was in the shower when he noticed he had a lump. He called his doctor and tests were ordered. His doctor was concerned that Jeff may have breast cancer.At first, Jeff was skeptical. Of course I thought, well of course its not, Im male. It is going to be fine.Jeff had surgery and test results confirmed his doctors fear.The surgeon called me one day while I was leaving my house and he said interestingly the results came back and you do have cancer, Jeff said. And wow, the world just fell apart for meI remember opening the door of the truck and then I closed it. I was like how am I going to tell my wife this. You know. This just doesnt happen.Doctors say breast cancer is not as common in men as it is in women. In fact, less than one percent of men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.Doctor Brett Parkinson, a radiologist at the Intermountain Medical Center Breast Care Center, says that most men arent on the lookout for breast cancer because they think only women are at risk of getting it. A man who gets a diagnosis of breast cancer is really surprised. It hits them from out of nowhere because, number one, they dont expect to have breast cancer anyway.Jeff certainly didnt think he could get breast cancer. He initially thought doctors made a mistake. He thought that it was possible doctors mixed up samples.A second surgery revealed that the cancer had not spread. Right now, Jeff is undergoing radiation. Doctors say his prognosis is good. As he battles cancer, Jeff has some advice for men, If something doesnt seem right, if you feel something in your breast, dont be embarrassed, or dont think that it cant happen.Doctors say many men will wait to see their doctors because they dont think they can get breast cancer.Bottom line, if you notice something unusual, call your doctor.For more information, visit cancerutah.org.(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)