BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IS FOR WOMEN AND MEN

October isn’t just breast cancer awareness for women, but men too! The American Cancer Society estimates how breast cancer will impact American men in 2024:  • 2,790 men in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. • About 530 men will die from breast cancer.

That means 1 in 726 men will develop breast cancer. Marlyn Washburn was one of them (read his story in the April 2024  Touch of Courage newsletter). When Marlyn’s own daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, he commented that he never needed to worry about getting breast cancer. Men don’t get breast cancer. But two years later, Marlyn was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. His family and friends were not familiar with the medical terminology or fully understood what it meant to be “metastatic.” The oncologist told them there was no cure, but there was hope to give him “five quality years.” Marlyn lived only five months after his diagnosis. Patricia, Marlyn’s wife, took his last car and had it wrapped to bring awareness and educate people about risks men also face when it comes to breast cancer (photo above).  Patricia travels the United States to meet men with breast cancer, their loved ones, their caregivers, and their widows, listening to their stories and giving encouragement. Patricia recently joined The CARE Project, Inc. which is a non-profit organization which emotionally and financially supports male and female breast cancer patients. In addition, Patricia developed The Marlyn Washburn Grant. This grant is awarded annually to one man undergoing active treatment or within 60 days of last treatment. To learn more about The CARE Project, Inc. or The Marlyn Washburn Grant go to thecareprojectinc.org. Locally, the Beyond Pink TEAM offers grants to support both men and women financially while in treatment. Talk to the social worker at your cancer treatment or breast center for assistance in applying, or visit the "financial assistance" page of this website.