Now Beyoncé's dad knows
It isn't so much that men are more at risk for breast cancer. It's more about the poor diagnosis and treatment they face.
Beyoncé's father, Matthew Knowles, is helping to raise awareness on this issue. In early October, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, he announced his experience and--as one news report notes--he acknowledged that unfortunately most men are too embarrassed to admit they have any breast issue, thus not encouraging a medical check-up.
Even men who are willing to seek help face the challenge of finding it. After all, it's relatively easy to find health pros specifically treating breast cancer, especially in major medical centers. But how many doctors do we see whose profiles indicate their expertise in men's breast cancer?
A ScienceNews feature points out the many difficulties men face relating to breast cancer. One particular point the story offers: that just as women are often subjected to results gleaned from male-oriented clinical trials, the opposite holds when men need insights related to breast cancer. In this condition, symptoms, diagnostics, and treatment advice are pretty much based on women's trials.
Ironically, during this month's breast cancer emphasis, a major international conference was offering insights from major pharma execs on their recognized importance in patient collaboration. A key question at the conference could have been: "How many of you involved in breast cancer research and/or treatment have listened to male patients and/or their families?" (I honestly don't know if that came up.)
There are of course more details in the ScienceNews story. Here is the link. Then please...offer suggestions on how leaders in both patient advocacy and pharmaceuticals can address the numerous issues breast cancer brings to men, their families, and their health pros.
.