TWO years ago, Rod Ritchie found himself swept up in a sea of pinkness.
The 65-year-old from Cooroy, in the SunshineCoast hinterland, had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Although about 15,000 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, only 150 – just 1 per cent – are male.
Rod has nothing but praise for the medical and nursing care he received during treatment that included radiation, a mastectomy and chemotherapy.
“I was the only bloke and I was treated like royalty.”
However, he would like to see at least a pin-prick of blue added to breast cancer awareness campaigning, research and support to acknowledge that men suffer as well.
Along with fellow male breast cancer survivor Rob Fincher, Rod has developed a manifesto, promoted internationally online, with nine actions that breast cancer groups could adopt including inclusive imagery, a dash of blue on the pink ribbon synonymous with breast cancer, and allocation of just 1 per cent of research funds specifically to male breast cancer.
“We’ve only got a little bit of breast tissue, the same as girls before puberty, but it’s enough if there are mutant cells,” the patient activist told The Senior.
Breast cancer in men usually appears after the age of 60.
It is often diagnosed at a more advanced stage with poorer outcomes because of a lack of awareness that it is not a “women’s disease” only.
“No disease raises money like breast cancer,” Rod said.
“Certainly there’s an element of sexualisation: no one wants women to lose their breasts. But blokes aren’t even aware that they’re at risk and some can find it confronting to be surrounded by the pink hoopla that is breast cancer care.”
What to look for:
- A lump, swelling or thickening in the breast area or armpit.
- Nipple changes, such as a change in shape.
- Discharge.
- Skin changes, such as dimpling, redness or other colour changes.
Any changes or concerns should be reported to a doctor, or call Cancer Council 131-120 or Breast Cancer Network Australia 1800-500-258 for information and support.
