TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)- It's possible for both genders to get breast cancer, health experts say men rarely get checked for it.
WTXL ABC 27's Jennifer Meyers has more on why one local man is trying to spread awareness about breast cancer.
Ambrose Kirkland is doing his part in spreading awareness about male breast cancer, from talking with various support groups, to traveling across the country to give speeches to various audiences.
For Kirkland, his breast cancer story started in April 2001 when he found a lump during a self examination. Later in the year, he saw a doctor and had a mammogram done. That test showed calcification in his breast. By November of 2001, Kirkland was officially diagnosed with breast cancer.
Even though he was shocked, he was not susrprised at his diagnosis as there is a family history of breast cancer on his father's side.
Kirkland never asked why, but instead saw his cancer as his purpose in life.
"From now on, when you think about breast cancer, you can't thiink about wonmen anymore. When you think aboyut breast cancer, look at me because I am the new face of breast cancer. Men get breast cancer too, and we're not going anywhere," said Kirkland.
It's thought that more men die of breast cancer than women because they wait way too long to see a doctor.
Kirkland hopes that by sharing his story, he can encourage other men to begin checking themselves for breast cancer.
