Many young people may not associate breast cancer with the following things: people below the age of 35 and men. However, in reality breast cancer can affect young people and men are at risk as well.
In the UK alone, over 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year*. This statistic usually 
catches many men by surprise, with a common response being “I didn’t think men could get breast cancer.” Men also have breast tissue in their pecs – so it’s all the more important to know what your body is doing.
There’s also a chance that 1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime* and for women under 40 it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer. However, mammograms are being offered for women who are over the age of 55 in the UK which can make young women feel as if they don’t need to worry about the disease until they reach the prime age.
Case Study: Bret Miller and The Bret Miller 1T Foundation
Bret Miller was your regular 17 year old: he went to college, was on their football team and worked at his local pool and ice rink. But finding a lump behind his right nipple, turned his world upside down.
At a doctors appointment seven years later, the lump was inspected thoroughly. One mammogram later, the lump was removed in April 2010. The day after the lump was removed, the doctor had rung Bret and told him it was breast cancer. By May 2010, Bret had a mastectomy and four rounds of chemotherapy to ensure that the cancer would not be returning.
After a successful surgery, Bret was given the all clear and found out that it was Stage One breast cancer. He is now on a mission to spread breast cancer awareness in the young across America. “Breast cancer does not discriminate, it can happen to anyone at any age and to MEN too!”
Case study via the Male Breast Cancer Coalition
So what steps can you take to get to know what your body is doing?
CoppaFeel! is a breast cancer awareness charity in the UK which aims to spread awareness in young people to get checking their boobs and pecs regularly. Their mission is to encourage young people to get into the healthy habit of breast checking once a month to help people understand what their bodies are doing.
From looking for changes and feeling for anything that’s different, the charity advise that people check at least once a month to notice if anything changes within their breasts or pecs.
To make life all a little bit easier, CoppaFeel! have created a easy guide to follow to know what to look out for should anything be unusual. You can view that by clicking the link here: https://coppafeel.org/your-boobs/
*statistics via CoppaFeel! & Breast Cancer Care
