COVER STORY
COVER STORY
RAISING AWARENESS THAT MEN GET BREAST CANCER TOO
Empowered THE SECOND TIME AROUND
T hursday 20 it is estimated 212 men will be diagnosed each year in Australia with breast cancer. Men with breast cancer may experience feelings of isolation and loneliness. October is Male Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Although rare, cancer in men and provide information and resources for those diagnosed and their supporters. You can learn more about men and breast cancer in the resources below: • BCNA website • Men get breast cancer too booklet • My Journey : Explore articles and watch the welcome video featuring men from our network • Podcast : Listen to our new episode, In Conversation with Harry and Pieter: Raising awareness for men with breast cancer . In this episode you’ll hear their stories, the challenges they face and who they went to for support. BCNA aims to raise awareness of breast Upcoming event On Thursday 20 October BCNA will be presenting an interactive digital event for men diagnosed with breast cancer. The event will be hosted by Professor John Boyages and aims to bring together men affected by breast cancer across Australia. More details will be available soon via the BCNA website.
M y experience of breast cancer the second time around was a very different journey compared to the first one and I wanted to share some of the things that made me feel empowered. I was first diagnosed with early breast cancer in 2010 when I was 52. I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. That first experience was not good at all. I only had access to a breast surgeon in my town and had to travel an hour to the city for treatment. I remember feeling very lonely and unsupported by my treatment team. When I started having problems with calcification in the breast, I decided to change doctors and specialists. I asked for new referrals to a whole new team, including a new, lovely GP. It was the best thing I ever did. In 2021, they found the breast cancer had returned in the same breast and, this time, it was aggressive.
Even though it was all a rush after that, this time I felt like I had a great team. I needed a mastectomy and decided to have a DIEP flap reconstruction at the same time. I felt confident asking the surgeon to explain all the benefits and risks. I felt empowered to question anything that was done to my body. The big difference this time around was COVID. It was the worst thing for me, and I think probably why I’m struggling a bit now. I spent 59 days in hospital last year. It was incredibly difficult to spend so much time alone, while feeling my absolute worst. On the upside, just before I’d been diagnosed, I had decided to organise a fundraiser for BCNA in the lifestyle village I live in. I worked on it through my treatment and it was my saviour. The Hearts and Roses Pink Lady Charity Ball gave me a distraction and focus. The ball was held in May and all my medical team came along. It was a great night and we raised more than $16,000!
Since then, I have felt a bit lost as my treatment ended in December. My team has been incredible, but I think a psychologist should also be included in every treating team. Often once you hear that C word, you get caught up in what’s next in terms of appointments, surgery and treatment. It’s only when you get quiet time that, all of a sudden, it starts to hit you what you have actually been through. I’m frustrated at myself for being in this post-treatment slump and I almost feel guilty that I’m struggling. I found the Upfront about Breast Cancer podcast series with Dr Charlotte Tottman really helpful. I feel the happiest when I’m giving back and doing something for other people. I just want to do something to help other women get through it, like sharing my story here in The Beacon and volunteering to support others affected by breast cancer. Then I think it will start to feel like it all happened to me for a reason.
Harry and his wife Yvonne
ADVOCATING FOR THE MEN Harry Brooks is living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and shares his experience in the hope it helps other men to be aware that they, too, have a risk of getting breast cancer. Why do you want to raise more awareness for men with breast cancer? When I first found out I had I rang BCNA and met with them and asked what they were doing for men like me. They listened and made an effort to understand my concerns. Since then we have worked together to raise awareness of men with breast cancer. What is your advice for other men with breast cancer?
Accept the situation for what it is and don’t for one moment feel ashamed because there is no reason to. I also think it’s important to enjoy life and never give up. Hold onto hope. I think men tend to hesitate seeing
breast cancer, I felt ashamed and embarrassed. I didn’t want to tell anyone. I felt like there was a stigma about having what people generally consider to be a woman’s disease. Then I had chemo and lost my hair and realised I couldn’t keep it a secret, so I decided to be upfront and talk about it openly. I hope this helps reduce any stigma. How did you find out about BCNA and how have they helped you? A few years after I was diagnosed, I was watching a current affairs show about women and breast cancer, and I got upset they didn’t mention men.
BCNA’S RESOURCES: MY JOURNEY JUST DIAGNOSED IN 2022, WHAT’S NEXT? WEBCAST
their doctor. I didn’t go to my GP about the lump I had but I did mention it while I was at an
appointment for an unrelated issue. My advice to other men generally is don’t ignore your health. Don’t ignore the slightest concern. Go and have a proper check-up every year.
Patti at The Hearts and Roses Pink Lady Charity Ball
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September 2022 | Issue 92
Breast Cancer Network Australia
bcna.org.au
Issue 92 | September 2022
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