Breast Cancer Advice Center

Male friend with breast cancer...any advice?

Public Comments

1. Nutrition is very important. If he wishes to fight it on "all fronts", suggest he check out the book "Enter the Zone" from the library and read the chapter on cancer. It may lead him to change his dietary intake to help stop the cancer from "feeding".
2. how dose that happen
3. Breast cancer happens to men, too, and it is rising. It is especially prevalent in men who are of Ashkenasi (sp?) Jewish descent. If your friend fits this profile, perhaps his Temple has a support group. Or, perhaps his doctor can suggest a support group for men. The mortality rate is greater in men because they lack the frightening awareness that's almost universal among women. A soft lump behind the nipple is probably gynecomastia; a hard lump points to cancer. Either is worth a trip to the doctor.
4. That's a rough one. He'll need a lot of support from his friends.
   
   Some people think this suggestion is a little weird, but I'd definitely encourage him to look into "guided imagery" as an adjunct to his traditional treatment (It is NOT a replacement).
   
   Guided imagery is a specialized type of hypnosis that not only helps the body fight the cancer (and other health problems), but it also helps alleviate any side effects from chemotherapy or radiation and helps with any depression that may occur along the way. There are numerous case studies of how it enhances recovery and improves the quality of life of cancer patients...even terminal ones.
   
   Believe me, If I had any kind of serious cancer guided imagery would be part of my recovery strategy. Since I'm sure he has not heard of this option, as his friend, you could collect the data and even help find a trained therapist in your area.
   
   Good luck.