A public service announcement I like...

[Guest]

 

Note: while this video is fun, the USPSTF specifically recommends against breast self-examination.

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/UpdateSummaryFinal/breast-cancer-screening

 

Now, how many of you will download that app?

[rvwnsd]

It is always a good idea for each of us to remain informed of ways our sisters, mothers, aunts, and cousins can help themselves detect breast cancer. I've watched this video five times so I can properly articulate to all my female friends the importance of breast cancer detection.

 

Thank you for posting this critically important information.

[+ purplekow]

Educational and fun. Great idea.

[+ quoththeraven]

So is there any way for men to check themselves for breast cancer? I know they can get it. Are there risk factors or diagnostic tests? How do men find out they have breast cancer?

[jjkrkwood]

So is there any way for men to check themselves for breast cancer? I know they can get it. Are there risk factors or diagnostic tests? How do men find out they have breast cancer?

 

 

Pretty much using the same techniques, however I doubt if I were in the room with any of those guys, that's what I would be focused on ?

[+ quoththeraven]

Pretty much using the same techniques, however I doubt if I were in the room with any of those guys, that's what I would be focused on ?

 

True! Just pointing out this PSA is more universally applicable than heretofore mentioned. Besides, I know some of us enjoy playing around with our nipples or having them played with by others.

[jjkrkwood]

True! Just pointing out this PSA is more universally applicable than heretofore mentioned. Besides, I know some of us enjoy playing around with our nipples or having them played with by others.

 

 

Absolutely TRUE, its often overlooked that men get it too, and these types of ads ARE usually aimed at women... Thanks for the heads Up .....

[rvwnsd]

So is there any way for men to check themselves for breast cancer? I know they can get it. Are there risk factors or diagnostic tests? How do men find out they have breast cancer?

A long time ago I very proudly told my physician that I routinely examined myself for testicular cancer. Without missing a beat she said "that's great! How often do you examine yourself for breast cancer?"

[Guest]

A long time ago I very proudly told my physician that I routinely examined myself for testicular cancer. Without missing a beat she said "that's great! How often do you examine yourself for breast cancer?"

 

Self-examination for neither testicular cancer nor breast cancer is recommended. Even if they were, the age groups for the two would be very different and certainly not overlapping. I hope your physician was joking. If not, I'm afraid to inform you she's ignorant in this regard. Hopefully, you're talking about an allergist or something, and not a primary care physician, who should know better.

 

So is there any way for men to check themselves for breast cancer? I know they can get it. Are there risk factors or diagnostic tests? How do men find out they have breast cancer?

 

It is not generally recommended that men "check themselves" for breast cancer (either by imaging or self-exam). A lump in a man is usually pretty obvious fairly soon. Breast cancer in men is much rarer than in women--over 100 times less common. The problem with breast cancer in men is that it's usually not like the breast cancer in women over 50. When it happens, it's usually very aggressive, and it's not clear that early detection would be life-saving. Most of the breast cancers in men are the genetic ones, and those are pretty nasty (unlike the usual run-of-the-mill breast cancers most women over 50 get, which is curable in most cases). The common risk factors for breast cancer (other than the genetic ones) include smoking, being fat and/or lazy, and diet with too much saturated fat. Women can reduce their risks of breast cancer also by doing things which prevent ovulation: pregnancy, birth control pills, and breastfeeding being the main ones. If there's a family history of breast cancer under the age of 50 or breast cancer in a man, checking or BRCA1 & BRCA2 is probably worth discussing with a genetic counselor.

Even breast cancer screening in women isn't as wonderful as it's cracked up to be. It does not save lives (overall) for women in their 40s, nor does it even reduce advanced breast cancer (for women in their 40s). This is a summary of the meager benefits. Colon cancer screening is more effective.

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/evidence-summary-screening-for-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-screening1

 

Fair-quality evidence from a meta-analysis of mammography trials indicated relative risks (RRs) for breast cancer mortality of 0.92 for women aged 39 to 49 years (95% CI, 0.75 to 1.02) (9 trials; 3 deaths prevented per 10,000 women over 10 years); 0.86 for those aged 50 to 59 years (CI, 0.68 to 0.97) (7 trials; 8 deaths prevented per 10 000 women over 10 years); 0.67 for those aged 60 to 69 years (CI, 0.54 to 0.83) (5 trials; 21 deaths prevented per 10,000 women over 10 years); and 0.80 for those aged 70 to 74 years (CI, 0.51 to 1.28) (3 trials; 13 deaths prevented per 10,000 women over 10 years). Risk reduction was 25% to 31% for women aged 50 to 69 years in observational studies of mammography screening. All-cause mortality was not reduced with screening. Advanced breast cancer was reduced for women aged 50 years or older (RR, 0.62 [CI, 0.46 to 0.83]) (3 trials) but not those aged 39 to 49 years (RR, 0.98 [CI, 0.74 to 1.37]) (4 trials); less evidence supported this outcome.

[rvwnsd]

Self-examination for neither testicular cancer nor breast cancer is recommended. Even if they were, the age groups for the two would be very different and certainly not overlapping. I hope your physician was joking. If not, I'm afraid to inform you she's ignorant in this regard. Hopefully, you're talking about an allergist or something, and not a primary care physician, who should know better....

When this occurred, in 1987, self-examination for all types of cancer was, in fact, recommended.

[+ quoththeraven]

Self-examination for neither testicular cancer nor breast cancer is recommended. Even if they were, the age groups for the two would be very different and certainly not overlapping. I hope your physician was joking. If not, I'm afraid to inform you she's ignorant in this regard. Hopefully, you're talking about an allergist or something, and not a primary care physician, who should know better.

 

 

 

It is not generally recommended that men "check themselves" for breast cancer (either by imaging or self-exam). A lump in a man is usually pretty obvious fairly soon. Breast cancer in men is much rarer than in women--over 100 times less common. The problem with breast cancer in men is that it's usually not like the breast cancer in women over 50. When it happens, it's usually very aggressive, and it's not clear that early detection would be life-saving. Most of the breast cancers in men are the genetic ones, and those are pretty nasty (unlike the usual run-of-the-mill breast cancers most women over 50 get, which is curable in most cases). The common risk factors for breast cancer (other than the genetic ones) include smoking, being fat and/or lazy, and diet with too much saturated fat. Women can reduce their risks of breast cancer also by doing things which prevent ovulation: pregnancy, birth control pills, and breastfeeding being the main ones. If there's a family history of breast cancer under the age of 50 or breast cancer in a man, checking or BRCA1 & BRCA2 is probably worth discussing with a genetic counselor.

Even breast cancer screening in women isn't as wonderful as it's cracked up to be. It does not save lives (overall) for women in their 40s, nor does it even reduce advanced breast cancer (for women in their 40s). This is a summary of the meager benefits. Colon cancer screening is more effective.

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/evidence-summary-screening-for-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-screening1

 

Fair-quality evidence from a meta-analysis of mammography trials indicated relative risks (RRs) for breast cancer mortality of 0.92 for women aged 39 to 49 years (95% CI, 0.75 to 1.02) (9 trials; 3 deaths prevented per 10,000 women over 10 years); 0.86 for those aged 50 to 59 years (CI, 0.68 to 0.97) (7 trials; 8 deaths prevented per 10 000 women over 10 years); 0.67 for those aged 60 to 69 years (CI, 0.54 to 0.83) (5 trials; 21 deaths prevented per 10,000 women over 10 years); and 0.80 for those aged 70 to 74 years (CI, 0.51 to 1.28) (3 trials; 13 deaths prevented per 10,000 women over 10 years). Risk reduction was 25% to 31% for women aged 50 to 69 years in observational studies of mammography screening. All-cause mortality was not reduced with screening. Advanced breast cancer was reduced for women aged 50 years or older (RR, 0.62 [CI, 0.46 to 0.83]) (3 trials) but not those aged 39 to 49 years (RR, 0.98 [CI, 0.74 to 1.37]) (4 trials); less evidence supported this outcome.

 

Thanks for the specifics. So I gather both mammography and self-exam would be indicated for someone like me who is about to turn 60?

 

I don't have a phone that can handle apps, but the video inspired me to conduct a self-exam while watching the hot, topless guys. It was very, uh, stimulating.

[Bearofdistinction]

 

Note: while this video is fun, the USPSTF specifically recommends against breast self-examination.

http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/UpdateSummaryFinal/breast-cancer-screening

 

Now, how many of you will download that app?

 

Can I get ALL OF THEM to Check me Repeatedly for Prostate Cancer!!!!!!!

[Guest]

Thanks for the specifics. So I gather both mammography and self-exam would be indicated for someone like me who is about to turn 60?

 

Mammography is recommended every 2 years. Self-exam hasn't shown to improve outcomes, although, if you find something, you should, of course, advise your PCP.