Breast cancer industry forcing pointless treatments on men, too

Talk about diversifying your portfolio!

After years of victimizing women with chemo, radiation and surgeries they don’t need, it looks like the billion-dollar breast cancer industry is ready to branch out.

And, men, they’re not just targeting your wives, daughters and sisters any more — this time, they’re after you.

Men might only make up a fraction of breast cancer cases, but a shocking new study proves that surgeons aren’t about to leave any money on the table.

And if you’re ever hit with a breast cancer diagnosis, there’s a greater chance than ever that you’re about to be talked into a painful and disfiguring surgery.

One that even a top cancer group says you don’t need — and won’t add a day to your life.

Excusing the inexcusableFor years I’ve been warning you how breast cancer surgeons sweet talk — and sometimes bully — women into getting double mastectomies whether they need them or not. Two-thirds of women who get the surgery have almost no chance of their cancer spreading to their healthy breast.

But now the breast cancer industry is breaking out the same playbook to make a fortune off of men, too.

According to a new study — from the American Cancer Society of all people — the number of men choosing to get double mastectomies nearly doubled in just seven years from 2004-2011.

That’s practically unheard of. And in some age groups, one out of every six guys are enduring the pain and mutilation of this surgery for absolutely no benefit.

Now don’t get me wrong — breast cancer can be serious. But very few guys actually die from it. So with the use of these aggressive, pointless surgeries skyrocketing, the mainstream has some explaining to do. And it’s already rolling out three lame excuses:

Excuse #1: More men are being diagnosed with breast cancer

Even the ACS admits this isn’t true. The breast cancer rate for men has barely changed over the past 30 years.

Excuse #2: Double mastectomies are saving lives and preventing cancer from spreading

Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, who led this recent study, said that there is “no evidence” that a double mastectomy will extend your life. As with female breast cancer, there’s usually very little risk of the cancer spreading to your second breast.

Excuse #3: Men are acting out of fear

Now there’s a little bit of truth to this — but it’s still no excuse. Breast cancer is a frightening diagnosis, and it’s easy to understand why men would do anything to permanently deal with the problem. But if you’re fears aren’t rational — or based on science — it’s your doctor’s responsibility to refuse the operation.

Just think about it — what doctor in his right mind would perform a needless surgery on your heart just because you thought it was the right thing to do? But doctors are hacking off breasts by the thousands each and every year, even though they know it does their patients no good.

Let’s face it — this is a greed-fueled conspiracy and nothing more. The breast cancer industry has gotten rich giving women biopsies they often don’t need, followed by overtreatment with chemo, radiation, and an assortment of surgeries, from lumpectomies to mastectomies.

Now they’re just bringing that same profitable business model over to the male market. Your surgeon may call it “comprehensive care” or a “patient-centered approach” — but it’s a strategy driven by the almighty dollar.

And if you guys are wondering whether it’s a matter of time before you start getting a mammogram reminder card in the mail, well, just wait.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation is already recommending high-risk men over 40 get annual mammograms. They won’t be happy until every guy has a pink ribbon on his sport coat.

When you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, it can be the most confusing moment in your life. And it can be easy to sign on for the full menu of treatments a doc will shove under your nose.

But just like with women, the key is always to get a second opinion. Doctors and pathologists regularly disagree about how serious tumors are — and even whether they’re cancerous at all.

And getting the right treatment for your cancer is a lot more important than getting the most aggressive.

Sources:

“More men get double mastectomies” NewsMax Health, September 3, 2015, newsmax.com