THIS STORY HAS BEEN MOVED- USE THIS LINK TO READ MORE; http://www.hisbreastcancer.org/single-post/2016/09/28/PHILLY-BOYZ-WEEKEND

This Father's Day, Educate & Save Lives

In October of 2008 and after ignoring some basic signs and symptoms for about 4 months, I was officially diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Even though my younger sister had lived with Breast Cancer and three recurrences of it and had been genetically diagnosed as BRCA 2 positive, I was still shocked that I, a 54 year old male, could contract this disease.

Three weeks later I had a complete mastectomy of my left breast. Subsequent Chemotherapy treatments incurred followed up by Genetic testing, Tamoxifen Therapy and precautionary MRI's and Mammograms

From my Internist to my Surgeon and continuing on with the three Oncologists that I met with, the lack of definitive information and lack of a true and consensus direction forced me to question almost every decision I needed to make. Ultimately, I had to make these decisions and my research and "gut" had to be the key determinants. You MUST BE YOUR OWN PERSONAL ADVOCATE, when dealing with these decisions. Only time will dictate if they were the right decisions.

Today I am healthy and possibly in the best shape of my life (or at least since I was in college). I have totally altered my Eating Habits and Diet. My Exercise schedule. My Work discipline and in general, how I live day to day. I live with the fear of recurrence as all Breast Cancer and I'm guessing any other type of Cancer patients do, but I am doing everything possible and in my power to insure that this disease does not come back.

I am married 36 years to an amazing woman (Donna) who stood beside me throughout my treatment process. She is my Rock! Together, we have 2 grown boys, Matthew and Jameson who are college graduates and professionals.

After running my wife's family uniform business for 22 years, several years ago I left the family business and joined an international manufacturer of Culinary and Hospitality Uniforms. Today, I am the Vice-President of Sales and National Accounts for the Eastern U.S. This job forces me to travel fairly extensively, which tests my ability to keep to my dietary and exercise regimens, BUT I DO. I HAVE TO! I continue to work hard but have learned to take time to enjoy life as well.

Once back to normal health, my sister Vicki and I vowed to find a way to inform and educate other men who are facing or are at high risk to face, Male Breast Cancer. Together we have formed the HIS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS FOUNDATION.  (H.I.S. happens to be my initials)

Our goal is to make society more aware that this disease does exist for men and to find a way to force the medical institutions and insurance companies to screen those who may be at risk. Awareness will lead to more research dollars. More research will hopefully lead to finding the detailed hormonal factors that influence the growth of the disease in men.  Maybe, some day, we will find a cure.

For now, I just encourage all to be aware and share your knowledge that men can be diagnosed with breast cancer and can carry a genetic mutation. Like my sister, I too was diagnosed as BRCA 2 positive.

Please visit our web site to learn more and consider making a donation in honor of a man (or men) in your life this Father’s Day.  Your donation will help us educate others and save lives.

Happy and Healthy Father's Day

Harvey I. Singer, Co-Founder

HIS Breast Cancer Awareness

http://hisbreastcancer.org/

'Breast Cancer in Men' Guide Published by Living Beyond Breast Cancer - Breast Cancer News

'Breast Cancer in Men' Guide Published by Living Beyond Breast Cancer -
Written in collaboration with HIS Breast Cancer Awareness-The Guide

World Cancer Day

We Can. I Can- what? How can we/I make a difference to something that seems so much larger than any human being? Well, just like all things, it takes each of us to put forth effort, even in small baby steps to make any changes; And ‘change’ is what is needed to help end cancer. This will not go away on its own nor as we’ve seen over the decades, with medicine alone.

We’re not talking just about change in research labs, hospitals or by large pharmaceutical corporations, we’re talking about starting with you and your lifestyle. That means each person taking responsibility and investing in themselves. Until each person invest in their own quality of living with healthier food choices, cleaner/greener environmental living and some type of exercise, health concerns and cancer will continue to spiral out of control.

We always have options: When out to dinner, making better choices or taking half your portion home for another meal will make a big difference! Although it’s nice to ‘treat’ yourself to a special meal because we know you work hard and deserve it, that should mean once a week or better yet, once a month! Foods that are  genetically modified, filled with hormones, deep fried and include heavy creamy sauces should be removed from your daily diet. 

We’ve all read what a ‘healthier’ diet should consist of so I’m not going to repeat it here, but receiving daily nutrition with cruciferous vegetables, high fiber, low/no sugar and organic when available is easy and affordable to do. And it’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle so you just have to allow yourself a new routine! Plus we can’t always eat enough to give our body the nutrition it needs so supplementation is often helpful.

But what about you and your doctor? How do you take responsibility together? Well first, I believe in the importance of preventive medicine. If you can help reduce your risk and keep your body healthy, it’s much easier than trying to ‘fix’ a problem after it has begun. Your doctor should be the one to make sure and keep you on the healthy path. This is where Naturopathic medicine comes in. There are currently 18 states (plus Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) where Naturopathic doctors are licensed to practice medicine, the rest are not in the United States. Other countries practice and support preventive medicine. What is Naturopathic medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage individuals’ inherent self-healing process.  The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific, and empirical methods. (provided by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians)
“Emphasizing prevention”, “self-healing”, these steps must become part of our daily process to living healthier. Pennsylvania alone has passed every level in congress and it has been waiting for the senate to vote for about one year now to pass this license. Why is something that can be so helpful, taking so long?! This option should be available to anyone who wants it! We should have the choice in every state!

We do have some of the power and controls to make America and the World a healthier place to live. From the land of opportunity, let’s take that opportunity to make the good, better, best decisions we can! Let’s “super-size” our health and wellness instead of our soda and fries! Then maybe we have a chance at reducing the impact cancer (and other diseases) has on individuals, families and communities. All the savings on health care with better overall health can then be used towards better living for vacations, family time or those special purchases.

Our website HIS Breast Cancer Awareness can help assist with suggestions for prevention and how to make healthier choices. http://hisbreastcancer.org/ Learn more about your genetic risk so you can be even more proactive. My brother and I are both survivors of breast cancer and both carry the BRCA genetic mutation. We live each day great-full for our opportunities today and we make the best choices we can with a healthier diet, additional supplementation and an on-going exercise program to help in the prevention of another diagnosis. We’re just like you, the average person - and you can do this too- hopefully before a cancer diagnosis but even after. Who can do this? #WeCanICan !

This World Cancer Day, let's make the necessary changes to help with education, awareness and most importantly, prevention. With the addition of prevention, we can hopefully reduce the risk of a cancer diagnosis. We have to take responsibility for ourselves and our families to learn and guide and accept change is needed. Then together we can work to end cancer.
#WorldCancerDay #WeCanICan #BeHealthy #Prevention

Best of Health,

Modah Ani- I am thankful

Vicki Singer Wolf, Editor and Co-founder