On this day that we celebrate the men in our lives, I thought it would be fitting to look at breast cancer as it relates to the masculine gender.

First of all, did you know that breast cancer is not just for women? Here are some statistics from the American Cancer Society: Approximately one percent of all cases of breast cancer are men. There are as many as 1,400 new cases of invasive breast cancer in men each year. Of those cases, about 400 will die. No, these numbers are not nearly as staggering as the stats for women (175,000 new cases, 43,300 will die), but it makes you take a step back, since most people don't even have men on their breast cancer radar screen.

BREAST CANCER See Pam's Story Her Struggle From Her Husband's Perspective Pam's Last Chemo Treatment E-Mail Pam Spread Word Survival Stories Myths and Facts Cancer Quiz Risk Factors SELF-EXAM How To Do It Diagrams How Do You Check? How Often? ARTICLES: Fitness Center For Patients WEB RESOURCES: Susan. G. Komen Foundation National Alliance Of Breast Cancer Organizations Breast Cancer Info National Breast Cancer Organization National Breast Cancer Coalition

Symptoms for men are basically the same as for women: nipple discharge (usually bloody), nipple inversion (the nipple turns inward), a lump, skin dimpling, and occasionally, local pain, itching, or a pulling sensation.

Our station just had a report of how men are less likely than women to see a doctor. If you know a man who has symptoms like these, encourage him to see a physician, especially if the symptoms have persisted for a while. Like with women, most lumps in men are benign. But this gets back to that early detection thing. A man has no greater or worse chance of surviving breast cancer than a woman. The key is when it is detected, and as always, the earlier the better.

Now for the other side of the coin; how a man deals with his wife's breast cancer. Well, this is where my expertise comes to a screeching halt. I'm not a man. Therefore, I won't try to delve into this subject as if I know what I'm talking about. But, I am open to guest male writers. If you know of any men who would be willing to share his thoughts, or if you are a guy whose spouse has/had breast cancer, I'd love to put excerpts of your feelings into a future journal entry. You can email me right from here. As you're reading this, there's a link directly to my email to the right of the screen, below my "lovely" photo. I'd have my husband do a guest writing, but he's a journalist, and there's not enough space for what he'd have to say!

So hats off to Dads today. I'm thankful that I have the best one on the planet. I have the best Mom too, for that matter, and I am not biased! But as we of the feminine persuasion know, behind every great man, there's a supportive woman!....C'mon, it's Father's Day. Did I really say that?!

So, are you getting to know your breasts? That means you too guys!

Until next time...

Pam Daale
The Happy Former Cancer Patient

p.s. A big thank you to those who have responded letting me know you have my brother-in-law in your prayers. He was not able to tolerate the chemo pill and radiation for his brain tumor. If you haven't already, please put my sister and their two children (college age) in your prayers also as they care for him at home. I'm convinced that these things are just as hard on family members, if not harder. Thank you. Your prayers mean so much.

You can e-mail Pam Daale at Pam_Daale@TheDenverChannel.com.