Although the majority of Australians diagnosed with breast cancer are women, men can develop it too. While rare, accounting for 1% of all cancers in men, early detection is incredibly important.
Earlier this month, former NSW premier Nick Greiner underwent a mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Greiner had his left breast removed and has since been given a clean bill of health, as do 85% of men who undergo treatment.
Men have breast tissue, just like women, although in smaller amounts. Around 125 cases of male breast cancer are diagnosed in Australia each year, with the risk of developing breast cancer in men increasing with age. The average age of male diagnosis in Australia is 69, but men of all ages can be affected.
The former premier told the Australian Financial Review that after discovering a bleeding nipple, his doctor told him to consider a mammogram.
“Naturally, I managed to ignore that advice,” Greiner says.
Having never encountered a man with breast cancer, Greiner did not act, an all too common mistake. Cancer Council Australia has called for greater awareness of breast cancer in men, following Greiner’s public discussion of his experience.
Greater awareness leads to greater chance of survival
UOWTV Reporter André Charadia speaks to Dr Ian Olver, Cancer Council Australia CEO, about how breast cancer develops in men, and breast cancer survivor Fr David Catterall, Parish Priest of St Paul’s Catholic Church, Albion Park.
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Multimedia Reporter: André Charadia
Is Wollongong’s favourite lifestyle doing more harm than good?
UOWTV Reporter Ben Mitchell hit the beach to find out whether Wollongong locals are taking action to protect themselves in the sun.
Multimedia Reporter: Ben Mitchell
