A playful pinch led a man to discover breast cancer in Las Vegas
Robert Pfleghardt says a friend’s playful nipple pinch during a Las Vegas trip in 2021 led him to notice a lump in his chest, which was later diagnosed as breast cancer. His experience highlights that men can develop the disease and may overlook symptoms because they do not expect breast cancer to affect them.
After discomfort continued for more than a week, a nurse practitioner recommended tests. A mammogram and further examinations found the cancer had reached one lymph node; Pfleghardt chose a lumpectomy, followed by 29 days of radiotherapy, rather than the more extensive surgery doctors reportedly recommended. He now wants greater awareness of male breast cancer.
- A nipple pinch drew Pfleghardt’s attention to a chest lump.
- Tests found breast cancer had reached one lymph node.
- He is calling for greater awareness of male breast cancer.
New here? Start with this
Breast cancer is widely associated with women, but men can develop it too. Though rare—fewer than two per cent of all breast cancer cases—male breast cancer does occur and can be serious.
Men often do not expect to develop breast cancer and may miss or dismiss symptoms as something else. A lump or unusual changes might be overlooked as harmless, which can delay someone seeking medical advice. Diagnostic delays can mean cancer is detected at a later, more advanced stage.
Breast cancer is medically the same disease in men as in women, but considerably less common. Since the disease is rarely discussed in relation to men, public awareness of the possibility is limited, and symptoms may not be recognised quickly.
Health Medicine Research Science World
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “What happens in Vegas: Man says friend’s nipple twisting on vacation led to breast cancer discovery”.