Men urged to test for breast cancer

Breast cancer in males

DEPUTY Information and Publicity minister Kindness Paradza has urged men to get tested for breast cancer as they are also at risk of contracting the disease.

Experts say male breast cancer is rare but it can form in men’s breast tissues, especially older men.

Addressing journalists today at a breast cancer awareness and screening programme for media practitioners, Paradza said:  “I want to encourage all men to get breast cancer screening because it's men who tend to believe that breast cancer is only for women. Screening is done for free. You may not know that you have cancer.”

Paradza urged journalists to write more stories about breast cancer and raise awareness.

The event was organised by Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) and included free testing for breast cancer, glucose, blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) for journalists.

Oncologist Nomsa Tsikai said men must also be wary of breast cancer and get checked regularly.

Experts say that lack of awareness on issues around the disease creates inability for doctors to diagnose men because when they see the symptoms they do not immediately think of breast cancer as being the potential cause.

 

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