Male Breast Cancer – Ohio Couple Both Fight Breast Cancer Together
Oct 19th, 2009 | By Albert Nelson | Category: Men's Health
While breast cancer is an issue on every woman’s mind, men rarely think that they are at risk or think about it at all. When it is on their mind it’s usually when they stand tall next to a loved one with the cancer and do everything possible to make their struggle as manageable as possible.
Well in Ohio, a husband and wife are standing tall next to each other as they are both considering treatment options for their breast cancer together.
Barbara Welsh, 63, and her husband Mike Welsh, 62, were both diagnosed with breast cancer in separate instances and are speaking out about it to raise awareness.
Barbra was diagnosed with breast cancer, had surgery in January, went through chemotherapy, and is now starting radiation treatments.
Mike was diagnosed and had surgery in July and is now considering further treatment options which may include chemotherapy and radiation.
Mike first noticed something was wrong when he got in his car and felt discomfort in his breast when he buckled his seat belt across his chest. Talking to his wifes doctor while she was undergoing treatment he asked if it was possible for men to get breast cancer. He was referred to the Compton Center at Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, where he found out that he had male breast cancer.
Male breast cancer is rare, with only about 1,900 cases expected to be diagnosed this year, and about 440 men dying from the illness, but is still an issue that needs to be observed.
Mike is speaking out about his experience to try and raise awareness in hopes that he can educate as many men about this condition as possible.
“If I could help 10 people or 100, that’s a start,” said Welsh, while talking to reporters.
He and his wife joke that she glows from radiation treatment that she has begun.
“I’m going to set her outside for Halloween,” Mike Welsh said.
“You’ve got to laugh at it,” Mike Welsh said. “You have good days, bad days and better days. We’re having fun with it.”
Related posts:
