Breast Cancer Awareness Saves Lives
It’s October, a month dedicated to spreading important information about breast cancer. You probably already have noticed all the pink ribbons and t-shirts with awareness messages being worn by breast cancer advocates, patients, survivors, or those currently in treatment. As a 15-year breast cancer survivor, I have worked tirelessly to get the word out about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer to create awareness of this deadly disease because early detection saves lives. That’s my primary message.
It is really important that everyone be aware of breast cancer signs, symptoms, and types since this disease affects so many people. That’s right, I said “types” of breast cancer. There are invasive and non-invasive, but most breast cancers are invasive which means that they spread from the original site to other parts of the body. There is a lot more to learn about the types of breast cancer and I encourage you to learn more about the signs and symptoms. But another type of breast cancer that many are not aware of is Male Breast Cancer.

Male Breast Cancer is Real!

Although breast cancer is sometimes found after the symptoms have started to manifest, many people with breast cancer have no symptoms. And yes, I mean people…men and women can be affected by breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of their lives, and 1 in 833 men will be diagnosed. The numbers are strikingly different, but breast cancer in men is still a deadly disease. As a matter of fact, approximately 2,650 new cases will be found in men each year and about 530 of them will die. Man or woman, it’s important to know as much about breast cancer as possible. Knowing the facts about breast cancer can save lives. Since doctors and scientists at the Mayo Clinic admit that they do not know what causes breast cancer, being aware of the facts and early detection are critical because there is no way to prevent the disease.
Black People Are More Susceptible and Have Worse Prognosis
Speaking of facts, did you know that Black men and women are more susceptible to the disease and often tend to have a worse prognosis. This means that when a diagnosis is made in a Black person, their chances of survival are not as great as that of their counterparts from other races. It is not clear why Blacks get more breast cancer than whites or any other race, but it is believed that socioeconomic factors such as poor access to good health care may be behind the increased mortality rates. Genetics may also play a role. Truth is, doctors really don’t know why this is the case. Here’s where a keen understanding of this deadly disease and how to detect it early can save a life.
Smoking and Alcohol are Breast Cancer Risk Factors
We rely on the experts to provide guidance to help us understand our individual risks. Risk factors such as age, family history, alcohol use and smoking all play a role when it comes to who will be diagnoses with breast cancer. An article published by the National Institutes of Health indicates that even moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to an approximate 30-50% increased risk in breast cancer. Moderate consumption is defined by the CDC as one drink per day for women and two for men.
Regarding smoking, we know that smoking causes a number of diseases, but is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer especially in premenopausal women. Breastcancer.org’s article entitled “Smoking” also indicates that research has shown that there may be a link between very heavy second-hand smoke exposure and breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
Alcohol and smoking are well known risk factors. Now you know more about the level of alcohol consumption as well as how smoking can affect premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Awareness is power!
Early Detection Saves Lives
As noted earlier, when breast cancer is detected, man patients never experienced any symptoms. For this reason, monthly self-exams and regular breast screening for women are so important.
Both men and women should do a monthly self-exam because it is the best way to detect a lump. Yes, men too! We know that men have less breast tissue and fewer ducts than women, but a self-exam is still important. If a man notices a lump, he needs to contact his doctor immediately, just like a woman. If you need a reminder to do your monthly self-exam, you can visit my website and download a free reminder card. Once you get it, place it in a place that you see often so it can serve as a useful prompt to take action. Here is the link to get your free card (https://bit.ly/self-exam-card). Then share the link with those you love and let them download a copy for themselves.
Now, let’s talk about mammograms. For men who notice any abnormalities or lumps in their breasts, their physician may recommend a mammogram if he/she deems it necessary. Women are a different story. Since breast cancer is more prevalent in women, the CDD follows the two recommendations of The United States Prevention Services Task Force (USPSTF) as published on their website.
- Women age 40 – 49 should speak with their health care professional about when to begin getting a mammogram and how often.
- Women age 50 – 74 are at an average risk age for breast cancer and should get a mammogram every two years.
But everyone should speak with their physician if they experience any signs that their breast may not be healthy. Learn more about the symptoms of breast cancer by visiting the CDC website. But remember, most breast cancer diagnoses come without any symptoms.
Early Detection Saves Lives
I want to leave you with a few resources to help you learn more about breast cancer:
- Breast Cancer Early Detection and Diagnosis (American Cancer Society)
- Key Statistics for Breast Cancer in Men (American Cancer Society)
- Know Your Risk (BreastCancer.org)
- Why Do African Americans Have Increased Breast Cancer Mortality (cancertodaymag.org)
Let’s close out our time together today with a challenge! Will you consider committing to incorporating these lifestyle changes to increase awareness and potentially early detection:
- Check out the resources provided and share when you learn
- Learn more about male breast cancer
- Remember how alcohol and tobacco are related to breast cancer
- Pick up your free monthly breast self-exam reminder card
Finally, if you have not already done so, check out my new website: LesCelebrateLife.com. This site is all about inspiration and education. You can check out my videos and hear my story. You can also pick up a Butterfly Note for someone you know who has been impacted by cancer or read my book to see I learned how to continue “Dancing In the Rain”.

Lesley Hudson is an author, poet, actress, and Breast Cancer Survivor Who lives intentionally and fearlessly and works to inspire others to do the same.