By Stacy Dillon.
In the “Allegory of the Cave,” Plato writes of prisoners in a cave who can only see images on a wall, and concludes, “All in all, then, what people in this situation would take for truth would be nothing more than the shadows of the manufactured objects”(1). In other words, Plato is saying what these prisoners think is real are just manufactured objects and they are in the dark about their situation and they have very limited views on what is actually going on around them. I know for a fact that being in the dark and not knowing the truth is a situation that a lot of people find themselves in when it comes to breast cancer. This is especially true for men. When most of us, me included, think of breast cancer, we tend to think of someone’s mom, sister, daughter, or wife. No one ever thinks of men. There are many myths about breast cancer, but the myth that men do not get breast cancer poses particularly serious consequences. Therefore we need to find ways to undo it.
Unfortunately, due to the fact that men do not have enlarged breasts like women, many men and women believe that men cannot get breast cancer. However, the truth is that men actually do get breast cancer. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s web site on Breast Cancer Myths it is estimated that approximately 1,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will lose their lives to this disease each year. The site also advises that men should give themselves regular breast self-exams and report any changes to their physicians. This rate is much lower than that for women. Each year it is estimated that one in seven women will get breast cancer. Nonetheless, I feel men are just as much victims as women, because they do not know what is happening to them, and often catch it too late.
Because men are not privileged to the same information provided to most women when a man finds out he has breast cancer, chances are it will be too late. As a woman when you visit your General Practitioner or OBGYN one of the many things you are told is how to give yourself a monthly examination. You are told what to feel for and look for, in this case, it could be anything from a lump, discoloration of the breast, a discharge that you know is not common, or discomfort that you did not have before. In addition, women that are over forty years old are encouraged to have a mammogram done once a year, which helps catch the cancer before it worsens. Women are also more likely to be covered by their health insurance for a yearly mammogram than men. Finally, there are many support groups for women; one well known group that comes to mind is the Susan G. Komen Foundation which supports women by having an annual walk which raises money in order to help find a cure. These are just some of the many things that women can benefit from. These services that are provided to women help to give them a greater chance of detecting the cancer much sooner than later. Breast Cancer that is found in its early stage gives women a 98% chance of survival. Without these services, men have a greater chance of finding the cancer in the late stages. This means that their chances of finding the cancer early are slim and they may not have any treatment options left when they do find it.
How can we undo the myth about men not getting breast cancer? For one thing, we should stop creating the illusions that it is a woman’s disease. When you see the commercials for breast cancer it’s all about the women and their survival. You never hear anything about a man who has beaten this cancer. Please do not get me wrong, I am happy and in full support of all these strong women who have won the battle against this deadly cancer and the others who continue to fight it every day with the support of their friends and families. This is why I honestly believe that our society can do a lot more for men in terms of awareness. For example, men should be told what to look for when they visit the doctor, the same way women are told when they visit their doctor, especially if that man has a relative who has this kind of cancer. We should also provide regular testing for men so that all men who get this cancer have a better fighting chance for winning the battle against breast cancer.
A big part of the problem is that men themselves are reluctant to admit that they can get breast cancer. Like most people, a lot of men perceive breast cancer as a woman’s disease. For this reason, they are more reluctant to do breast exams and fail to talk about issues such as pain or lumps in their breast to their doctors, partners and friends. In order for men to feel comfortable seeking treatment and testing, we need to create a male connection to breast cancer by featuring men that were affected with this disease in commercials and billboards. Showing examples of men who has won the battle against breast cancer, make it known to the families and friends that have breast cancer so they can pass the information on to their male relatives will go a long way in spreading the message and making other men feel more comfortable dealing with this illness. For example, when Magic Johnson came out and said he was HIV positive it helped to create a lot more awareness about AIDS. For a long time most people thought that HIV was only a homosexual’s disease. Johnson, who is heterosexual, proved to the world that not only gay men were affected by AIDS. This awareness made a lot of people seek help who may not have otherwise. Similarly I feel if something like this can be done to make men feel more comfortable coming out about breast cancer a lot more men will get tested and this awareness will help them to be more forthcoming and will also save a lot of lives in the future.
In closing, we must tell others that breast cancer not only kills women but a significant percentage of men as well. The consequences of not knowing can be deadly and the little things everyone can do to help spread the word and not just on women only. After all, this is our sons, brothers, husband, and fathers we are talking about. Awareness and education I feel are the key to having success in anything in life. As a society, so many of us are in the dark when it comes to men and breast cancer. The pink ribbons and the walk for breast cancer each year for women are promotional tools though well intended, hold us back from our potential to spreading awareness about the fact that breast cancer afflicts men too.
Works Cited
Breast Cancer Myths. Nationalbreastcancer.org. Web. n.p. 9 April. 2011
Plato, The Republic. Ed. G.R.F. Ferrari. Trans. Tom Griffith. New York: Cambridge UP, 2000. 220-26.
Shadows on the Wall 
Emmanuel Cabrera
May 11, 2011
Breast cancer does not discriminate and both men and women are at risk for the disease. I remember hearing several cases about men with breast cancer, but this piece really opened my eyes. I am ashamed to say that I did not know the extent of breast cancer in men and almost content in my “cave” believing in the myth it only affects women. Ms. Dillon is correct in pointing out how the disease is practically “feminized” and this is distorting the fact that it’s a terrible human disease—not a woman’s disease. I agree that some significant individual (i.e. actor, athlete) can put a face on the severity of breast cancer in men. This might educate people and bring even more focus and attention on this serious health problem. In addition, a dramatic media advertisement campaign might educate and put breast cancer in both sexes in the narrative around breast cancer. The New York City Department has run a serious of dramatic and effective campaigns surrounding health concerns, like smoking. I agree with Plato that reason and education are central to wisdom and ascension from the misleading cave of myth and ignorance. Thank you Ms. Dillon, like the free prisoner, I want to tell my fellow prisoners, so they can descend from the cave
Anita Zahir
May 12, 2011
Its true as soon as you hear the word breast cancer, you assume its a woman’s disease. When it comes to medical issues most men tend to let it pass till its to late, especially to a decease that is widely publicized as a woman’s cancer. When we go to yearly physicals, both men and women should be told how to give yourself a self examination.Doctor’s should know better to advise men about breast cancer even if the patient didn’t ask. Men might laugh it off but it can save your life. I agree we need there to be more advertisements to bring attention that this disease is not only towards women. Cancer itself is a frightening word to hear from your doctor and if you know someone in your family that has or had the disease then you must tell your doctor about your family medical history. Little steps like that can help. All of the points that Mrs. Dillon has brought up points that i already knew but most of us don’t. You are the only person can know how you feel inside and if something is wrong. That’s why “Awareness and education I feel are the key to having success in anything in life”.
Rukiat
May 13, 2011
The author in this article is absolutely right about the ignorance of breast cancer in men. Because of the presence of the mind of the egotistical male, men are reluctant and are probably embarrassed about seeking help for physical maladies such as lumps and discoloration in the area of their breast or even other sites that are proven to harbor breast cancer such as their armpits. When is the last time a male actually made that annual physical appointment for himself without the coaxing of a female companion? It seems that it is hard enough to get him to the doctor for a common cancer in men such as prostate but for breast cancer? “Oh no! Who me?” would be the response of the majority. Only of late did the Susan G. Komen Foundation begin to promote early detection commercials featuring male breast cancer survivor actor Richard Roundtree; star of the movie “Shaft”. It was detected in time for him to start treatment in order to survive. Then the commercials finally faded away. If we continue to only promote female breast health awareness, once again the male will be put on the back burner, to suffer alone. In my opinion there should be more resources for men to deal with this issue. What of the men who don’t have loved ones who can coax them into their physicians’ office? What of the men who have no insurance? These questions should be brought out of the private agencies but also brought to Washington to be discussed in order to get their portion of resources dedicated to the potential male cancer victim.
Stacy Dillon
May 13, 2011
Before reading your article, I find it hard to believe that breast cancer is not limited to women alone, but men also suffer from this disease .So the fact that this is reality and breast cancer is treatable if detected early why my doctor never said or mention any thing about breast cancer affecting men.
Most publication regarding this topic doesn’t even address this issue. I think maybe because the number of women that fall victims to this disease way higher than men, even so we have the right to be informed on this disease, it is our choice to decide what to do about it and just to be clear saving a life of one man from dying is a big accomplishment for him and for his loved ones.
Although the precise causes of breast cancer are unclear, we know the main risk factors. Still, most women considered at high risk for breast cancer do not get it, while many with no known risk factors do develop breast cancer. Among the most significant factors are advancing age and a family history of breast cancer. Risk increases slightly for a woman who has had a benign breast lump and increases significantly for a woman who has previously had cancer of the breast. Is it safe to say the same apply to men, and if it is how can I as a man protect myself? What are the preventions? For woman Diet plays a very small but measurable role in breast cancer prevention. Dietary fats may increase the risk of developing breast cancer, and fruits, vegetables, and grains may help to reduce the risk. It is recommended that five servings of fruits and vegetables be eaten each day and that unsaturated fats are replaced with monounsaturated fats. Regular aerobic exercise may offer some protection against a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Studies have found that women who exercised vigorously and often, were only half as likely as non-exercisers to get breast cancer.
Hopefully in the future there will be more explanation and understanding for men breast cancer.
Jobet Sean Roxas
May 13, 2011
I agree with the idea that Breast Cancer has a prodominatly female stigma and is not associated with men as much as it should be. Most awareness of breast cancer is geared towards female. One of the colors associated with the disease is pink, not a very masculine color. I myself, see the color and i dont see it as something I would associate with. The advertisments towards the disease have all female casting.
If they are to suggest that men can have this disease as well, they need to have alot more advertising geared toward men. If they do that then they will be more awareness towards it.
Justyna Niedzwiecka
May 13, 2011
I was asked to read this essay and make a comment. Stacy said this is about breast cancer. After her words I already had an idea in my mind what she could write about. As a women I know what breast cancer is and how to check my body to detect it in early stage. I know that we have a lot of foundations that help women with this disease and I also know about every year walk for a breast cancer in NYC. What I did not know is that a man could have a breast cancer. I used past tense because know I have this knowledge.
I was shock when I was reading this essay. Man and breast cancer. I never heart about this before. Normally thinking man and woman body is almost the same, all the functions that our organisms have are the same. We breathe the same way, digest the same way, have the same number of organs and most of the disease appear in both sexes but nobody in publicly say about man breast cancer.
I am glad that I had opportunity to read this essay. I have to say that this is well written and organize essay, very informative. Probably those who read this essay, from know will change the way of thinking about breast cancer. I am not going to think about this disease as the one that touch only women. Everyone could have it and die because of it.
I hope media (TV and radio), because a lot depend of them and they spread most of the information, one day will warn man that they also could be touch by breast cancer. That this is not only woman disease.
Stacy in my opinion you did wonderful job and you chose very good topic. Congratulation.
Jagmit
May 16, 2011
The author in this article is absolutely correct about the Male Breast Cancer disease and its widespread impact on the population.
Though far less common than in women, it is possible for men to develop breast cancer
While most male breast changes are due to abnormalities, such as gynecomastia (non-cancerous tissue growth), men should report any persistent breast changes to their physicians for clinical evaluation
Symptoms of male breast cancer may include a breast lump, swelling, skin dimpling or puckering, nipple retraction (the nipple turns inward), redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin, and nipple discharge.
Because men usually have much less breast tissue than women, breast lumps and other abnormalities are often easier to find on men than on women. However, because breast cancer is far less common in men and many men believe that only women get breast cancer, men often ignore the early signs of breast cancer, attributing the symptoms to infection or another cause. Some men are embarrassed to find a breast lump and delay making an appointment with their physician. Since men usually have less breast tissue than women, male breast cancer does not need to grow far to intrude into the skin and the muscles underneath the breast. Men who experience signs of breast cancer should see a physician. There are many questions that come into picture, but those questions can be solved with the help of various factors and time.
I am glad that I got the opportunity to read about this article and got aware about this disease. This is well written and organized article, but some of the information -regarding the Men Breast Cancer was missing. Anyone can have this disease and can eventually die of it.
I hope media i.e. TV, Internet, Radio, Social networking organizations should take some cohesive steps in the awareness of this brutal disease
Samvel Jeshmaridian, PhD
May 21, 2011
This is an informative and well organized Essay. And the topic is important. It gives the message of understanding the reality in the right way and in the useful and fruitful direction. One of masculine gender / sex can falsely think that men are never suffering breast cancer. The facts are quite different than the mere logic can explain. Statistically, men suffer breast cancer less than women but the facts remain facts that men might also develop such a disease. Therefore, awareness about the risk of developing a breast cancer for men is important. Moreover, awareness of the right behavior, in situations when men are told they suffer breast cancer, grows crucial. Ms. Stacy Dillon has done this skillfully explaining both medical / health care as well as psychological aspects of the problem. When knowing about their breast cancer men can get more frustrated than women, because of the fact that they do not expect to have it. Wrong expectations can harm the person. And awareness can save lives. The facts, that heightening awareness among population, are presented in the right way and manner and in good English. I can recommend the text for Wikipedia as an Entry.
Nancy Xu
May 22, 2011
To be honest, before I read this article, I really did not know that men have the chance to get breast cancer. I wrongly thought that it was only women’s business. The title and central idea of this article really makes me surprised, which shows the author’s unique insight of life. This knowledgeable article starts with Plato’s famous “cave” theory and then bring out a profound topic. It tells us a fact: although sometimes we do not see the true side of the problems, it does not mean that the problems do not exist. The author used her special way to guide our readers to know the seriousness of men breast cancer. I guess that she did a lot of research and experiences life with her true heart. Otherwise, she would not write out such a informative and knowledgeable article. She not only talks about the statistical data of men who have chance to get breast cancer, but also tells readers what the methods that our society, our health system can do to protect men from this kind of cancer. She also utilizes the current prevention methods that women use to suggest that men should have the same treatment. In a word, this is a useful article. It definitely takes benefits to men who are not aware of breast cancer.
Naeemah L
May 25, 2011
This article shines a light on a serious problem in the medical field regarding stigmas and misconceptions about who is susceptible and at risk of being diagnosed with certain diseases or conditions. As the author of this article indicates, while there is indeed a high prevalence of breast cancer among men, it is often not spoken about and it is rarely detected early. The issue of improper screening and stigmas regarding certain diseases is not just an issue when it comes to diseases like breast cancer among males. This problem in the medical field is also often an issue among women regarding heart disease. Although heart disease is the number one killer among both women and men, women are typically first diagnosed at an age 10 years older than males who are first diagnosed. This may be due in part to the fact that the symptoms of heart disease in women are somewhat different than the early warning signs and symptoms among men. While both sexes may experience chest pain, women tend to experience more atypical signs such as nausea, shortness of breath, jaw pain, fatigue and stomach upset.
Unfortunately, the presence of these atypical symptoms can sometimes lead to women with heart disease being initially misdiagnosed. In addition, women are rarely screened for heart disease as the focus for women’s health seems to be more on cancers of the reproductive organs and/or breast cancer.
In short, the best way stay healthy is early prevention and screening. Patients need to be armed with information and should never be embarrassed or afraid to disclose any symptoms or conditions that they may be experiencing. This is the only way to ensure that proper testing and appropriate will be provided.
Renan
May 27, 2011
The author of this article brought up an interesting subject that I never crossed in my mind before I read it. I totally agree that when I think about breast cancer I think only about women, I didn’t even think that men can be affected as well. This article makes me think now about this disease in a different aspect. Before I read the article I was thinking that a breast cancer is a cancer for women only, and the world do its best,like every other kind of cancer, to find a cure to this horrible disease.But now, I will start to notify my closest people and will knowledge them with the new information I read. In this cases the thing that helps the most is awareness, and usually people listen to their closest people, family, friends and so on. So I believe it’s the best way to spread the fact that breast cancer is for men too. Thank you Stacy for writing this article. Today’s world is full with many diseases that we are aware too, and apparently to some of them we are not aware, so I’m glad you open my mind to a new cancer. Hopefully this article will help to spread this information, and will help to save someone life before it will be too late for this person.