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Male breast cancer frequently ignored or misdiagnosed
A recent study sponsored by the University of Alberta followed the treatment of 20 men from ages 44 to 85 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Researcher Edie Pituskin indicates that most of the men were not even aware they could get breast cancer, and so didn't think to see a doctor even if they detect suspicious lumps. Conversely, doctors also aren't as aware of the possibility of breast cancer in male patients, leading to a tendency on the part of both health care professionals and the population at large to ignore warning signs. Pituskin says she hopes her research, to be released at the National Conference for Men's Health in Atlanta, will increase doctor awareness of the possibility of male breast cancer, as well as encourage drug and treatment trials to include male as well as female participants.
