Breast cancer: Men get the disease too
A male breast cancer survivor, David Mouton, has shared his story with the hope of alleviating the stigma around the disease.
On average, 10 Namibians are diagnosed with cancer every day, and of this nearly 56% are women.
This is according to the CEO of the Cancer Association of Namibia, Rolf Hansen.
Hansen said breast cancer is currently the most prevalent, and cervical cancer is on the increase as the figures for 2015 and 2016 show.
But not only women get breast cancer.
While most people shun going for cancer screening because this medical condition is associated with death, one cancer patient, who was diagnosed with the disease remained calm and optimistic as he shared his story.
When David Mouton was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, he was not devastated.
“I took it as a medical condition, and my wife agreed with me,” Mouton said with confidence, unlike most people who become depressed when they are diagnosed with cancer.
He said it all started with a lump on his breast and he decided to go to the doctor.
His doctor referred him to Windhoek for tests.
“I was referred to Dr Jeremy Nel and on 6 January 2014, he took samples. After a few days, I went to get my results and he told me I had cancer. I was admitted at the Catholic hospital in Windhoek,” Mouton added.
He said it was the first time he had heard about a man getting breast cancer.
“Two weeks later, on 21 January, I was operated on. Dr Nel did the operation to remove the lump. Afterwards I was referred to the oncology centre at the central hospital to get chemotherapy sessions,” Mouton said, adding that following the chemotherapy, he was placed on oral treatment.
“I was put on a tablet, which I must take every day for five years and I have to go for regular check-ups.”
His message to cancer patients is to treat cancer like any other medical condition.
“Cancer is like any other disease and if it is detected early, it can be treated. Don't be afraid. Go for regular tests and start with treatment as soon as you are diagnosed.”
He also said it was the first time that he learned that breast cancer also affected men.
CAN has intensified support for women fighting cancer following indications that it is women who are mostly affected by cancer.
In a media release CAN said “the relevance to promote October as Pink Month in support of women fighting cancer, is now greater than ever.”
The money raised from the awareness campaigns helps to finance the breast and cervix screening operations provided by the association's women's clinic.
During the years 2010 to 2014, breast cancer was found to be the most predominant type of cancer with a 27.3% prevalence, roughly 40.2 people per 100 000.
This is followed by cancers of the cervix at a prevalence of 19.4%, 27.2 people per 100 000, Kaposi sarcoma at 8.8%, eye cancers at 4%, ovarian cancer with a prevalence of 3%, colon and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at 2.8%, and lung/trachea/bronchial cancers at 1.8%.
DORCAS MHUNGU
This is according to the CEO of the Cancer Association of Namibia, Rolf Hansen.
Hansen said breast cancer is currently the most prevalent, and cervical cancer is on the increase as the figures for 2015 and 2016 show.
But not only women get breast cancer.
While most people shun going for cancer screening because this medical condition is associated with death, one cancer patient, who was diagnosed with the disease remained calm and optimistic as he shared his story.
When David Mouton was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, he was not devastated.
“I took it as a medical condition, and my wife agreed with me,” Mouton said with confidence, unlike most people who become depressed when they are diagnosed with cancer.
He said it all started with a lump on his breast and he decided to go to the doctor.
His doctor referred him to Windhoek for tests.
“I was referred to Dr Jeremy Nel and on 6 January 2014, he took samples. After a few days, I went to get my results and he told me I had cancer. I was admitted at the Catholic hospital in Windhoek,” Mouton added.
He said it was the first time he had heard about a man getting breast cancer.
“Two weeks later, on 21 January, I was operated on. Dr Nel did the operation to remove the lump. Afterwards I was referred to the oncology centre at the central hospital to get chemotherapy sessions,” Mouton said, adding that following the chemotherapy, he was placed on oral treatment.
“I was put on a tablet, which I must take every day for five years and I have to go for regular check-ups.”
His message to cancer patients is to treat cancer like any other medical condition.
“Cancer is like any other disease and if it is detected early, it can be treated. Don't be afraid. Go for regular tests and start with treatment as soon as you are diagnosed.”
He also said it was the first time that he learned that breast cancer also affected men.
CAN has intensified support for women fighting cancer following indications that it is women who are mostly affected by cancer.
In a media release CAN said “the relevance to promote October as Pink Month in support of women fighting cancer, is now greater than ever.”
The money raised from the awareness campaigns helps to finance the breast and cervix screening operations provided by the association's women's clinic.
During the years 2010 to 2014, breast cancer was found to be the most predominant type of cancer with a 27.3% prevalence, roughly 40.2 people per 100 000.
This is followed by cancers of the cervix at a prevalence of 19.4%, 27.2 people per 100 000, Kaposi sarcoma at 8.8%, eye cancers at 4%, ovarian cancer with a prevalence of 3%, colon and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at 2.8%, and lung/trachea/bronchial cancers at 1.8%.
DORCAS MHUNGU
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