October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while we're encouraging and remembering our mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters affected by this disease, we can't forget that our fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons can diagnosed with breast cancer too. In fact, a couple here in Moody, Texas is currently dealing with a breast cancer diagnoses, and hoping their situation can inspire men to watch for the signs and know when to get tested.

LIFE-SAVING TOUCH

Typically when we discuss breast cancer, the conversation centers on women having the disease. But KCEN-TV reports that Jason Williamson of Moody is currently battling breast cancer.

According to the report, Williamson's wife, Janelle, was riding a four-wheeler with her husband when she put her arm around his chest and felt a lump. That was back in April, and by June he'd been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. The couple now say they wish the possibility of men having breast cancer was talked about more openly and frequently, and that if so they may have caught it earlier when treatment could have been easier.

They're hoping their story will inspire other local families to educate themselves and know the signs.

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HOW COMMON IS MALE BREAST CANCER?

The American Cancer Society estimates there will have been 2,710 cases by the end of 2022. Unfortunately, they predict 530 men will die of the disease.

"For men, the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 833," they report.

Risk factors include age, a family history of breast cancer, inherited gene mutations, Klinefelter syndrome, radiation exposure, alcohol, liver disease, obesity, testicular conditions, and estrogen treatment. Although these risk factors are known, there's little known about the actual cause.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR JASON?

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What I like about Jason is that he is a fighter. He’s made it very clear that he still wants to get up every day and make sure he takes care of his five children and his wife, he’s not going to dwell on it, and he knows that this is a mental battle as well that he has to prepare himself and his family for.

Jason, I sincerely wish you all the best, sir, and I know you'll come out of this stronger. Hopefully the positive to come out this situation is raising awareness of male breast cancer so more more can catch it early enough to have a fighting chance.

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