The image that comes to mind when most people hear the words breast cancer is that of a middle aged or older woman, but the reality is that it can affect both males and females of any age. Myths and misconception of breast cancer can do more damage. Here are five important facts to know.
Males and females have the same breast tissue
Males and females have the same number of breast tissue that adapt as we go through puberty but never goes away. Male breast cancer presents in almost 1% of breast cancer cases, with 1 in 1000 men being diagnosed with breast cancer regardless of age, race, or health.
Cancer has become the second leading cause of death with many life insurance claims being made due to breast cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to do a regular self-examination of your breasts whether you are male or female.
Is male breast cancer the same as female breast cancer?
When it comes to the signs and symptoms of breast cancer in both males and females they are very similar. Breast Cancer symptoms usually show as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. These lumps can also be found in the lymph nodes which can be found by the collar bone and neck.
If you press the lump and it does not move under your hand, then it could be a cancerous lump. Men usually have a higher mortality rate than women do because of the lack of awareness among men and the delay of seeking treatment.
Can it affect someone who is fit and healthy?
Breast Cancer can affect anyone, even if you are fit and healthy. Many triggers can cause our healthy cells to turn cancerous. Some of the contributing factors can be due to genetics, the food we consume or the environment we are in. Anything can play a part. Therefore, knowing what symptoms to look out for is crucial. Keep an eye out for things such as:
The puckering of your breast
A hard lump
Redness or heat in your nipple
Should you feel anything or notice a discharge from your nipple, consult a professional medical practitioner immediately.
How can you stay better prepared?
Prevention is better than cure. Men may be infamous when it comes to going for regular medical check-ups, but a few minutes could literally save your life. Doing a self-examination is something that you can do in the comfort of your home and only takes a minute. Need something to remind you? Choosing a date such as payday is usually the best way to remember to do a monthly check of your chest.
Feeling your chest every month for any changes or lumps is not something that can reduce the risk of your cancer, but it is rather a screening. While you may not be in total control of whether you will get breast cancer or not, it is possible to stay financially prepared.
The last thing anyone wants is having to stress over finances when they are sick. Having life cover in place can give you peace of mind when it comes to facing the medical bills that come with being diagnosed with an illness such as Cancer.
You have the choice of using 50-100% of your cover amount to help ease the financial strain that comes with chemotherapy and medical treatment, so you can focus on your journey to recovery. Always remember that early detection can help you start a medical course that can see you entering into remission.