Living Beyond Breast Cancer Announces Guide For Men

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ When IT professional Edward Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 62, he was confused. It wasn't a possibility he had ever considered. And he couldn't find any groups of men, whether in person or online, to get answers or support.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), the national nonprofit information and support organization, is addressing this need through the release of Breast Cancer in Men, a new publication in its Breast Cancer inFocus series.

This year, approximately 230,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. What is talked about far less is that around 2,300 men will also be diagnosed with the disease. Dealing with any cancer diagnosis is difficult but according to Living Beyond Breast Cancer CEO Jean A. Sachs, MSS, MLSP, being "a man diagnosed with what is perceived as a 'woman's disease' can be more isolating, and finding support, challenging.

"There is information available for men diagnosed with breast cancer. But it's often clinical or even impersonal. With our guide, we've made sure that medical information is balanced with stories and pictures shared by men impacted by the disease. It demonstrates camaraderie and an understanding that comes from a shared experience."

In addition, men need to know that they have the same risk as women in inheriting the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, which can be passed on to their children and lead to increased risk of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers even if they don't develop the disease themselves. "Men who have a lot of breast cancer in their family should speak to their physicians about genetic risk," Sachs says.

Smith says he would advise men who are diagnosed with breast cancer to reach out to others who have been through it. "Get over the male thing and put yourself in the best position."

For a free copy of the guide, call (855) 807-6386 or visit lbbc.org/infocusmen.

About Living Beyond Breast Cancer
LBBC's mission is to connect people with trusted breast cancer information and a community of support. National conferences, Breast Cancer 360s, the Guides to Understanding Breast Cancer, and a toll-free Breast Cancer Helpline are provided at little or no cost. For information, visit LBBC.ORG or call (855) 807-6386.

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SOURCE Living Beyond Breast Cancer

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