Alan - Interview 18
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Alan knew that men could get breast cancer and when he noticed his nipple inverting while on holiday, he knew that he had to see his GP as soon as he returned home. When he received his diagnosis he wanted to know what was to be done and wanted it dealt with quickly. However, his wife was devastated.
After one of his sessions of chemotherapy Alan noticed he had a high temperature and was hospitalised for an infection. After this he tried to avoid coming into contact with germs.
After one of his sessions of chemotherapy Alan noticed he had a high temperature and was hospitalised for an infection. After this he tried to avoid coming into contact with germs.
Alan was told he needed a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but he did query his need for radiotherapy.
Alan was told he needed a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but he did query his need for radiotherapy.
So were you given a choice in your treatment?
Alan said the 'dearth' of information about breast cancer in men made it seem 'solely a female problem'. His simple message to men was 'task for tonight is to feel your nipples!'.
Alan said the 'dearth' of information about breast cancer in men made it seem 'solely a female problem'. His simple message to men was 'task for tonight is to feel your nipples!'.
So that’s- that’s the way, how it all happens, and that’s why I say you know, went to the pub when I’d been diagnosed, I said “right lads, task for tonight is to feel your nipples”. They said, “What do you mean?” I explained it and one or two guys said, “Ooh, ooh”. I said “when you get home, have a quiet feel, I mean I hope there’s nobody here”, I said,” cause it’s a very low percentage of people have it, but if I stop one more person having a problem I’ve done you know, I’ve done my job shall we say”. So it’s quite interesting. And how one of the lads have said, it was a shock, again one lad said ‘I didn’t know you could get breast cancer’. I said ‘well, you know, we’re only slightly different from women you know.
Alan had been introduced to a support officer at the hospital in case he wanted to talk to her.
Alan had been introduced to a support officer at the hospital in case he wanted to talk to her.
Were you offered at the time, any support such as going to support group or speaking to someone else about it?
Alan thinks that people shouldn't 'pussyfoot' around in talking about breast cancer.
Alan thinks that people shouldn't 'pussyfoot' around in talking about breast cancer.
When we started doing this study we were using the term “male breast cancer”, I was just wondering if you had any opinion on that term?