CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — When you think of breast cancer, most might immediately think of women in their lives who are affected by the disease. But men can also suffer from breast cancer. Breast cancer in men has the same symptoms as women, usually a lump or enlarged lymph nodes underneath the arm.
That was Al Schneider's personal experience with the disease.
"When I was driving, the seat belt goes across here and my right breast kept getting very tender and sore and i felt that i had a lump," remembers breast cancer survivor Al Schneider.
The stigma of a man with breast cancer can cause some men to put off going to the doctor.
"It's a little bit difficult for men to handle with breast cancer because again it's not as common and there are not a whole lot of support group and men tend to not talk about it with others," says local oncologist Dr. Aftab Mahmood.
Men account for less than 1 percent of breast cancer patients in the Coastal Bend. This number is similar nationwide -- where one in 833 men are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Even though the disease is not as common in men, the longer it goes untreated, the more it can potentially spread.
"Be aware of what the breasts feel like normally," Mahmood said. "There's no recommendation to do a breast examination in a male. But certainly if you notice a lump that's persistent then you should seek medical attention."
Schneider is now completely cancer free and will be participating in the Making Strides Walk on Saturday, the same day he will also be celebrating his 77th birthday.
