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When Greg Sargeaunt of Orewa was told he had breast cancer, four years ago, he was in disbelief.
“The hardest thing initially was thinking this is a female disease, so how did I get it?” Greg says.
Around 3300 NZ women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, compared with 25 men.
Greg says it was so far off the medical radar that when he showed his GP the bruise on his nipple, he was told he had a haematoma.
“I’ve spoken to several other men who also had that diagnosis to start with,” he says.
When it began oozing, he was sent for a biopsy that revealed a Stage 3, 4cm tumour. Two weeks later Greg had a full mastectomy and several lymph nodes removed. Radiation and chemotherapy followed, along with an ongoing course of Tamoxifen.
He says a positive attitude, intravenous vitamin C and exercise helped him through.
Understandably, follow up information, such as physiotherapy brochures, were focused on women.
“After chemo, when your hair falls out, we had a few laughs when they brought the long blonde wigs around,” he says. “I totally get why the system is geared for women and they need to be front and centre, but occasionally men get it as well, which is important for men to know.”
“I asked about follow up mammograms and there was nothing available, but after 18 months they put me on the screening programme. It’s quite funny having it done without breasts – you learn contortion!”
The 67-year-old has two granddaughters and says it was a big relief to have genetic testing done that showed his cancer is not hereditary.
Greg has been sharing his story in the hope of raising awareness.
“When I tell other men, they are astonished but supportive,” he says. “However not a lot bring it up after that, so it goes quiet.”
He was able to network with other men who have breast cancer through the Breast Cancer Foundation and was wearing pink at the Pink Breakfast fundraiser held last week in Orewa.
“I want men who have symptoms like mine or concerns about changes in their breast tissue or nipples to insist they are tested,” he says. “If I had a scan, it could have been picked up at an earlier stage.”
Male breast cancer facts
Breast cancer in men is the same disease as affects women. All men need to know what signs to look for, and report any breast changes to their GP. For most men, breast cancer doesn’t come to mind when they notice a change in their breasts, which can delay diagnosis. Most cases in men occur over the age of 50. Because men have much smaller breasts, the surgical treatment is usually mastectomy, rather than breast conserving surgery. Reconstructive procedures can be used if needed.
Signs and symptoms
• A lump or area of thickened tissue. This is most commonly painless and situated close to, or behind, the nipple.
• Skin changes such as puckering or dimpling, redness or ulceration, or any change in breast shape.
• Nipple changes such as a newly indrawn or distorted nipple, or itchy, scaly, or ulcerated skin on the nipple.
• Fluid discharge from the nipple, clear or bloodstained.
• Unusual breast pain or tenderness.
• Painless lump in the axilla (armpit).
These symptoms may also be signs of a benign breast condition but it’s important to have any changes checked by your doctor. Enlargement of both breasts is usually not cancer. This is usually gynaecomastia, a benign enlargement of the glandular tissue in the breasts. This is commonly due to a hormone imbalance and may be caused by weight gain, certain medications, heavy alcohol or marijuana use.
Source (and more information): visit.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz
