Dudes can get breast cancer? I had no idea...

You hear lots of stories about breast cancer in women, but male breast cancer is not talked about as often. It affects about two thousand men each year and close to five hundred men die each year from cancer.

According to ABC4's medical expert Dr. Mobley, if you know the symptoms and catch it early, the chance for a cure can be high. However, there are many men that may be at risk and not even know it.

Three years ago, Bill Hepting was diagnosed with breast cancer at 79 years old. "It's a mystery. They say it's a woman's problem... it's not a man's problem, they don't think about those things, at all. But when you do, it's scary," said Hepting. "I had blood on the pillow and I didn't know where it came from and I noticed there was discharge on my right breast."

Hepting then went to the same mammogram machine used by millions of women each year. He had many of the traits associated with male breast cancer. According to his surgeon, Dr. Leigh Neumayer, the following is a classic description: "Frequently an older gentlemen, someone in their 60s, 70s and they usually present with this non-painful hard lump usually around their nipple or close thereof." Ironically, she said, it's the ones that aren't as painful that may end up being cancerous. Siding on safety, Dr. Neumayer performed a mastectomy, saying, "It's not only the thought of loosing a body part but also even if you're older, being confronted with your own mortality."

One out of one hundred cases occurs in men. If a man does find a painless lump, he should push his primary care physician for a specialist referral. Article here.