If "Shaft" Can Get Breast Cancer, You Can Too

I have had breast cancer and I survived. Since this is a cause that is near and dear to my heart I try to keep up on the news about cancer, but I am especially interested in anything to do with breast cancer. Imagine my surprise when I found out that men get breast cancer as well. Granted it is not as prevalent as women but it does happen.

I discovered this by watching a local news show. The news segment was done on Richard Roundtree of "Shaft" fame. Upon finding a lump Roundtree went to his doctor and was shocked to find that he had breast cancer. He had a double mastectomy and had to undergo a series of Chemotherapy and Radiation treatments.

Roundtree said that he was in the habit of going to the doctor post haste when anything ever came up that was questionable with his health. This is probably what saved him. He was able to get help in time and live to tell the story. Apparently this is not the case with most men.

A guy will put off going to the doctor at all cost. If it is difficult to get him into the doctor to check his prostrate it will be even more difficult to get him into the doctor to check his breast. One of the reasons breast cancer in men is so dangerous is because they frequently do not have it checked in time and by the time they do it is too late.

While breast cancer in women has great recovery rates if caught in time, the survival rate in men is even better. Most men that get this type of cancer are well into their 60's and 70's and Mr. Roundtree was actually young to have contracted this type of cancer. Men have less tissue around the area of the breast and it is not very common for men to receive mammograms. It is not generally advertised that men need to do breast examinations; therefore they are not taught to do so. This is the reason for poor survival rates in men.

As an actor Richard Roundtree was unable disclose his condition to anyone but his family because it would have prevented him from working. To work on a film you must be insurable and if he had disclosed that he had cancer he would not have been able work. Now he is able to be open about his cancer and he is working with the Susan B. Komen Foundation to educate the public on this disease in men.

If you find a lump about the size of a pea whether you are a man or a woman, get it checked. Don't wait until it is the size of a golf ball because chances are that it will be too late.

The signs to watch out for are:

• Lump in breast
• Discharge from the nipple (might be bloody)
• Nipple inverted

These are usually the same symptoms that appear in female breast cancer. It is important for us as women to encourage men to seek medical help no matter what the problem is, but especially in the area of breast cancer. If you are married or have a boyfriend check their breasts for them if they are stubborn about doing it themselves.

Richard Roundtree was a prominent sex symbol in his day. He even did a sexy photo spread for Playgirl magazine at one point. If a manly man like Shaft can get breast cancer, then any guy out there can get it too. Protect yourself, be aware of your body, and seek medical attention promptly if you have the slightest doubt.