Inspiring Journey Of Mike Singer....Male Breast Cancer Survivor..
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Men can have Breast Cancer too.. Breast Cancer Hub collaborates with Male Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) with regard to Breast Cancer in Men. We generate awareness about Breast cancer scenario in Men and the early detection screening processes.We share stories of our MBCC brothers during our global outreaches. Here's the inspirational journey of Mike Singer in his own words.....
This December I will be a 9 year survivor of Breast Cancer. I am a male who was diagnosed at age 50 with Ductal Carcinoma In situ. As a male I never checked myself and ignored the issues I was having for several months until I went for a routine exam and mentioned this issue to my doctor. Within days I had a needle biopsy followed by a surgical biopsy and finally a full mastectomy of my left breast. I was shocked and embarrassed at the same time as I had never heard of men getting breast cancer. Even after my diagnosis and surgery I still was ashamed and called it chest cancer when I was questioned. I tried researching male breast cancer back in 2010 after my diagnosis and there was little to no information and no one male to reach out to. One day I saw a special on the Katie Couric TV show, her guest was a young man named Brett Miller who was a young male breast cancer survivor. This changed my life as I was able to finally connect with other men with breast cancer. I reached out to The Brett Miller 1T Foundation, Male Breast Cancer Coalition and have been an active member since then participating in getting the word out that men can get breast cancer too. I also avail myself to other male breast cancer patients if they want to talk about this as I have first-hand knowledge of what it is like. I have had the opportunity twice to serve as a consumer reviewer to evaluate research applications submitted to the Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) sponsored by the Department of Defense. I found this experience extremely rewarding and it made me feel like I could make a difference. I remember my nervousness my first time in the panel room as a laymen amongst the scientists and quickly realized how little I know. There was also my excitement interacting with so many others who are dedicated to research and improving life for those of us living with this disease and it was emotional and life changing. It was at one of these programs that I had learned about the National Breast Cancer Coalition and about its specific training called Project Lead. This educational program teaches policy-setting and decision-making roles of breast cancer research advocacy and focuses on the basic language and concepts of molecular biology, genetics, clinical trials, epidemiology, research methods and advocacy. I knew this training would benefit me in my continuing to spread the word on male breast cancer and help educate the public to this disease that is killing men due to the lack of education and the late stages of breast cancer when they finally become aware. Since my retirement and my shocking diagnosis of male breast cancer I have been participating in as many breast cancer events that I can spreading the word about male breast cancer. Recently I worked with my local NY State Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and with guidance from Cheri Ambrose of the MBCC, I was able to get a proclamation signed by NY Governor Cuomo recognizing the third week of October as Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week in the State of NY. This was an amazing and rewarding experience as this will start a conversation and raise awareness to Male Breast Cancer and its existence. I am now a patient advocate and attend many of the cancer conferences such as San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and the American Society of clinical Oncology (ASCO) and several events sponsored by the American Cancer Society here in the Bronx where I get to meet scientists working at Montefiore Hospital. Most recently I was asked to be an Ambassador for the Real Men Wear Pink of the Bronx sponsored by the American Cancer Society making Strides against Breast Cancer. This is important to me because I lost my sister to metastatic breast cancer two years before I was diagnosed and the ACS is doing so much for the breast cancer community through its research programs and community outreach programs. So this is an opportunity to give back and help raise awareness to breast cancer. My wife Patty and I are coming up on our 35th wedding Anniversary and we have spent the last 9 years going through this journey together. Without her support, love and devotion none of this would be possible for me as I find my strength in her. Patty participates in all of the events I attend and also is dedicated to raising awareness of Male Breast Cancer. Patty has become a fierce Patient Advocate. Patty is a Licensed Board Certified Massage Therapist and has had her own practice in The Bronx since 1998. Patty is a graduate of the Swedish Institute of Massage. Just recently Patty and I lobbied our Congressional offices on Capitol Hill in Washington DC for increased funding from the National Institute of health for more research funding for metastatic breast cancer.
By Michael Singer
October 17, 2019
