Men may need breast exams, too

Dear Dr. Gott: I’m a 77-year-old man with high blood pressure, diabetes and leukemia. I go to my doctor on a regular basis. I told him I have pain on my breast when I touch my nipple. It feels like I’m sticking it with a needle. He felt my breast and said there was nothing to worry about. Do you have any comment about it?

Dear Reader: As I have written before, new breast symptoms – such as dimpling, nipple retraction or pain – should not be ignored because they can be early symptoms of a breast malignancy. This holds true for men as well as women.

While this may not be your problem, I would recommend a follow-up breast exam by your primary care physician, blood work, imaging studies (X-rays, ultrasound, etc.) and a biopsy if any lesions are found. If everything is normal, you can relax.

Don’t delay obtaining further medical input and testing. Men can have breast cancer, too. While it is uncommon, symptoms, testing and treatment are necessary.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my health report “Breast Cancer and Disorders.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: For a number of years, my mother-in-law has been treated for thrombocythemia. Recently, her sister (and only sibling) was diagnosed with idiopathic myelofibrosis, and we learned that her son (one of four) has polycythemia vera. From information gathered from various Web sites, it appears that, although rare, familial occurrences exist. This scenario would seem to be evidence of that.

My question is, should my husband and his siblings be checked for any signs of these diseases? The literature indicates that symptoms do not always manifest themselves, but the disease can be present. The “coincidence” of all this just seems a bit worrisome to me.

Dear Reader: Your husband’s family history certainly raises some issues relating to inherited diseases.

Thrombocythemia is an increase in the number of circulating platelets, which aid coagulation. Polycythemia vera is an increase in the size of red blood cells as well as the total amount of blood circulating. Idiopathic myelofibrosis is the replacement of normal bone marrow with fibrous tissue.

You husband should be tested by a hematologist. At worst, the testing could show an abnormality that needs to be addressed. At best, negative tests would be cause for celebration, such as a cocktail party for 300 of his closest friends. (Just kidding.)

Let me know how this situation is resolved.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my health report “Blood – Donations and Disorders.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.