SaportaReport – Breast cancer is often thought of as exclusively affecting women. But men can get it, too, and ignoring changes in the breast can give cancer more time to grow.
City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta held a breast cancer screening event Aug. 19 at its Newnan location, offering eligible women annual mammograms and educational resources as Georgia continues to see a growing need for breast cancer awareness and early detection.
More than 10,400 Georgia women are projected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, according to data provided by City of Hope. Rates among women under 50 have increased by about 1.4 percent annually in recent years.
But women are not the only people who should pay attention. Men also have breast tissue and can develop breast cancer, although it is rare. Because routine screening mammograms generally are not recommended for men, awareness of changes and conversations with a doctor are especially important.
Dr. Nitika Sharma, a City of Hope breast oncologist and hematologist, said family history is an important part of determining whether someone may benefit from genetic testing.
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