Strahan Turns 50
- Michael Strahan turns 50 this month and the Emmy winner and former footballer received birthday love from survivor and GMA co-host Robin Roberts; like Roberts, Strahan’s brother was treated for breast cancer.
- Approximately 2,650 new cases of invasive breast cancer in men will be diagnosed with year.
- Listen to your body and go to the doctor to get things checked out when something feels off. Lead each doctor’s appointment with a plan; advocate for yourself and speak up.
Roberts writes on Instagram in loving tribute to Strahan, “I can count 50 ways I appreciate my right-hand guy @MichaelStrahan. This morn @goodmorningamerica we're dancing into the week with a big celebration…kicking off Michael's 50th birthday. Head to my Facebook page to watch the full celebration!”
Read MoreView this post on InstagramA somewhat birthday-shy Strahan writes today on Instagram, “I hate celebrating me… but this Sunday I turn 50. And there was no better way to start the celebration than with my @goodmorningamerica family. This made me TRULY feel special and grateful!! Thank you to everyone for the early b-day wishes!!”
Mega-stars like singer Lionel Richie wished Strahan happy birthday via video messages to celebrate the big 5-0.
View this post on Instagram
Strahan played 15 seasons with the New York Giants before jumping into a career in television, at which he’s excelled. Strahan won two Emmys, and his star continues to rise while hosting shows like Good Morning America, Live! with Kelly and Michael, and FOX NFL Sunday.
The Houston native not only works alongside someone who battled breast cancer Ms. Robin Roberts but breast cancer has affected his family, too. Strahan’s brother was treated for the disease in 2015. On Twitter that year, he wrote: “Absolutely!!! My brother is being treated now! RT @MBCC2014: @michaelstrahan @MetaHealth Don’t forget … http://tmi.me/1f5liC”
Absolutely!!! My brother is being treated now! RT @MBCC2014: @michaelstrahan @MetaHealth Don't forget … http://t.co/GX50YsPmou
— Michael Strahan (@michaelstrahan) June 8, 2015
Understanding Male Breast Cancer
Male breast cancer is a disease where malignant (cancer) cells form in the breast tissue. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) approximately 2,650 new cases of invasive breast cancer in men will be diagnosed with year. The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer if you’re a man is 1 in 833.
A man’s risk of developing breast cancer may be higher if there’s a history of breast cancer in the family. Typically, male breast cancer manifests as lumps in the chest area. Factors like a patient’s race can impact the prognosis. There are five types of standard treatment that are used to treat breast cancer in men:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
Mathew Knowles, the father to Beyonce, tells SurvivorNet in a previous interview how his male breast cancer diagnosis profoundly altered his life and his behavior. He says, “When I understood that I was a cancer survivor I had to make a lot of different difficult decisions. I had to change my lifestyle.”
“I stopped drinking alcohol,” says Knowles. “I started exercising daily. I understand the correlation between heart cancer and obesity. I was overweight. I was 264 pounds. I’m now at 233 as of yesterday. I gained a few pounds from the fact that my knee replacement I couldn’t– I was mobile. But I understood that. And I made key changes in my life because I felt I was worth it. I had to self care and it’s also the mental.”
Standing Up for Your Health
It’s important to be an advocate for your health and push for answers when something feels off in your body. “Be pushy” when necessary, experts tell us. Two-time breast cancer survivor Marc Futterweit recalls in an earlier interview how he felt ashamed to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and his initial impulse was to ignore his symptoms. Since surviving male breast cancer, however, Futterweit has become an advocate for for the disease, like Strahan.
Related: Be Pushy, Be Your Own Advocate… Don't Settle
Futterweit tells SurvivorNet, "Men are basically standing in the shadows [when it comes to male breast cancer]. They're ashamed or embarrassed … [But] why can't men get breast cancer?" A lot of people assume men can't even get breast cancer because they don't have breasts, but that's not the case.”
Related: When Should I Get a Mammogram?
He says, “if you feel something, say something." Futterweit is a proponent of speaking up when something feels off. His breast cancer diagnosis came after he found a lump on his chest in the shower, and his doctor recommended he get a mammogram. "The problem with men is that they wait, and they think things are going to go away," says Futterweit. "Once they're diagnosed, sometimes it's too late."
If You Feel Something, Say Something Men Ignore Symptoms Too Often
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
