elevating consciousness about breast melanoma in guys - WSLS

ROANOKE (WSLS10)– A Roanoke Valley man is working to elevate awareness that breast cancer is not only a ailment affecting girls. Of the new breast melanoma circumstances clinically determined each and every 12 months, 99% of instances are in women– however it's a disease that can have a big effect on guys as smartly with 2,500 new circumstances each year.

Arthur Watkins is a breast cancer survivor. He says that he, like many guys, hadn't thought too lots about breast melanoma affecting him.

"guys are funny," says Watkins. "They don't suppose they can get breast cancer and don't think they have got breasts."

After discovering anything suspicious, like a lump within the chest enviornment, docs say guys are more likely to ignore it or delay telling their doctors.

Arthur says he discovered a lump in his chest after wrestling around together with his son and decided to have it checked. After a few exams and a mammogram, he became clinically determined with breast cancer that had unfold to his lymph nodes.

Breast cancer survival rates and medication for men are very akin to these for ladies. similar to in ladies– early detection is key. with no screening assessments or every year mammogram options for men, like there are for women, Arthur is now encouraging men to investigate themselves.

"i might do exams similar to a feminine does," he says. "Any sign that doesn't seem to be correct, get it checked out and don't take no for an answer."

as soon as he all started medication, Arthur says he discovered obtainable have been warning indications he overlooked– like an inverted nipple and itching under his arm that might have led to an previous prognosis.

Now Arthur is sharing his story, working to transport patients at Carilion in Roanoke.

"cancer type of modified me. I went back to turn into an EMT after," he says. "Then I appreciated it so a great deal i went again to college and became a paramedic. It changed into simply whatever thing I always desired to do and it's variety of neat as a result of we cope with a lot of cancer sufferers and that they want to talk to me. It eases their minds."

Arthur says he'll proceed sharing his story as he works to elevate cognizance of breast cancer in guys– urging them to do self-checks at domestic, just like those girls are inspired to do.