Oct 14, 2009 6:25 pm US/Eastern
Men Just As Susceptible To Breast Cancer
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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A man is tested for suspected breast cancer
CBS News
For every 100 women affected, one man will get breast cancer. While the numbers seem low, many man are unaware they can even contract breast cancer. Because of this, they don't often know they need to look out for lumps just like women do.
Robert Elorriaga never thought he would be undergoing a breast biopsy. But that's what happened in September at Jackson South Community Hospital.
"I noticed some lumps on my chest started hurting," he said. His doctor suggested he get a mammogram, sonogram and a biopsy to determine if the lumps are cancerous.
Elorriaga described, "They stick a tube in there and cut and suck and probe and pull it out. I didn't feel anything, really."
Breast surgeon Dr. Leonardo Henriquez said while fewer men are diagnosed with breast cancer, it does happen. That means questionable lumps must be checked immediately.
"Very frequently the breast cancers in males are a little more advanced per stage than women," said Dr. Henriquez. That's because men are less likely to look for breast lumps than women.
But according to Henriquez when it comes to family history, the same rules apply no matter what the gender.
"If you have what's called hereditary cancer in the family and you do that on a man and if that man has what we call BRCA1 or BRCA2 positive, then those men get screening mammograms," Henriquez explained.
Elorriaga does not have a family history but said he's glad he got checked and believes other men should, too. "Go get it checked. Go get the mammogram. Go to the breast center. Get the sonogram, 'cause it could be something serious," said Elorriaga.
To learn more about Jackson South Community Hospital's Comprehensive Breast Center call 305-256-5245 or
visit their website.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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