My grandfather had breast cancer and died from complications of his treatment (It was poor treatment. It was the eighties and he could only afford the VA--they basically butchered him.)That said, men do sometimes have breast cancer
My mother contracted the same type of cancer. So, even if a male relative has breast cancer, it can increase your risk. I'm only 36, but I've already had one mammagram just to be cautious.
Just thought I would mention it. Considering how important my boobs are to my daily life now (nursing a 10 week old baby) I take any mention of breast cancer seriously. And mammagrams aren't that bad. Honestly, I don't know who the bunch of whiners are out there that has made the world believe they are excrutiating. Maybe women who haven't breastfed their children find it more painful. I, personally, didn't find it very uncomfortable at all. Having used my breasts for the work God or evolution made them for, the technician told me I had one of the clearest, easiest to read mammagrams she had ever seen. Like trees in winter, she said. It is my understanding that women who haven't nursed children have more fibrous breasts making mammagrams more difficult to read.
Since I'm already on a soapbox, thought I would mention all the internet rumors that used to go round saying breast cancer is caused by deodorant. They say things like, "What else can account for the sudden increase in breast cancer?" Well, I can tell you what accounts for it! Women stopped breastfeeding and started feeding formula. Believe me, I know why! Breastfeeding is no picnic, at least with my children. It is very difficult to go on breastfeeding little piranas that just look like human babies for up to a year, but I decided I would do it and I'm stubborn. I don't blame people for giving up on it, believe me! Not everyone is as stubborn as I am. And it does have its perks--it is very sweet when they aren't chomping on your nipples. Its free, and goodness knows that is good news in this economy. And its good for them and good for the moms too. Ok, I'll step down. Sorry for the off-topic babbling!
Jen
