Giving the Perfect Father's Day Gift

On Father’s Day you’re probably thinking about the family of men in your life. In addition to your father or father in law or husband, you probably send wishes to sons, brothers, uncles, friends and neighbors. This Father’s Day would be a great opportunity to help make them all aware that breast cancer is not just a woman’s disease.

How many men are diagnosed with male breast cancer? The percentage is small, but is even a small number not important enough? Because it is few, does this mean we should ignore the possibility? For a large percentage of the men diagnosed, it is often more fatal since no one is looking, it is found much later and more progressed. The first step for HIS Breast Cancer is to bring awareness, especially if there is a possibility of a genetic mutation in the family. We talk about different diseases and tragedies all the time with our families, so why not discuss Male Breast Cancer? There may be conversations about a mother, sister or aunt who have had or passed from a cancer diagnosis and have tested positive for the BRCA genetic mutation. Do you know that 50% of the brca carriers are male? and are at risk of developing breast, early on-set prostate and other cancers? Although it may not appear as such due to its low numbers for men, it’s still equally as difficult when a female has to verbalize they have breast cancer. No matter how you look at it-it’s a life threatening disease and male or female, once diagnosed with breast or any cancer, your life is never the same.

Do the men in your life conduct self-breast exams? Probably not! So who’s checking? This most likely doesn’t take place at their annual physical examination, no one is suggesting a yearly mammogram, and when was the last time they were given an instruction sheet on how to check them-self? It's important to discuss your family history with your general physician and you can 'ask' them to complete an examination yearly. HIS Breast Cancer Awareness is working to make these changes for earlier detection. 

Looking for the right gift? You might just save a life! So start with a simple gift this Father’s Day. Print the self-breast exam instructions below, laminate on your favorite paper, frame it, or present it with that perfect tie inside the box. At HIS Breast Cancer Awareness you can also shop for Male Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirts, wristbands, lapel pins or send a donation card or make a donation in honor of those special men in your life. 

Make Father’s Day the perfect reminder time for all men to take a minute out of their day, right after breakfast in bed, to examine their breast (yes men do have breast). Or provide encouragement for them to have hereditary genetic testing completed. It just may be the best Father's Day gift they'll ever receive because it shows how much you really care. For more information, provide the men in your life with the link to get started, learn more and be educated. Knowledge is a gift.....

Dad-Thinking of you and missing you always but especially on Father's Day. Always loved dancing with you and need some of your "big money" for your new great grandchild on the way <3
Love and miss you xoxo

Modah Ani- I am Thankful 

Editor; Vicki Wolf, Co-Founder

How To: Male Self Breast Exam

Step 1: Begin by standing in front of a mirror with your arms on your hips to tighten your chest muscles and inspect yourself.  Watch for any changes such as dimpling, swelling and areas around the nipple. Raise your arms above your head and continue to examine your breast and arm pit areas.

Step 2: Move around the breast in a circular motion with the fingertips.  You can perform this in either an up and down method, a circular or a wedge pattern, but try to be consistent using the same method each time. In addition, check the nipple area for any discharge. Complete on both breast.

Step 3: In addition to standing, you can also examine your breast lying down. To do so, place a pillow under your right shoulder and bend your right arm over your head.  Then with your fingertips on your left hand, begin checking by pressing all areas of the breast and armpit.  Once completed on the right, move the pillow to under your left shoulder and repeat the same process.

www.hisbreastcancerawareness.org

offering insight and education on male breast cancer

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