Brave young man with breast cancer

I am impressed by this courageous young man in my metro area. Although we know men can get breast cancer, most wouldn't publicize their experience with a "woman's disease" and encourage men to examine themselves. On Bret's website, the ribbons are blue!

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - KMBC.com -- At 24, Bret Miller is sending a message he hopes will save lives. Miller had a mastectomy at St. Joseph Medical Center Thursday.

Miller first discovered a lump in his right breast when he was only 17 years old. Doctors told him it was probably nothing; that he should pay attention and call if he noticed a change. He noticed a change about 18 months ago. His right nipple began to leak fluid from time to time and the lump hardened. When he finally saw a doctor, he was diagnosed with breast cancer.

His surgeon, Dr. Lon McCroskey, said breast cancer is very unusual for a man Miller's age. The typical patient is in his 60s. Miller's mother said she is proud of her son for his courage facing cancer and his willingness to share his story. "Self-examination can save lives," she said.

Miller underwent surgery for an hour Thursday. He is doing well and doctors believe they got all the cancer. Before the surgery, Miller told KMBC's Bev Chapman that men shouldn't always assume only women get breast cancer. "I am healthy," he said. "Men can get breast cancer. We can share the pain too."

Miller is expected to be released from the hospital on Wednesday. For more information, you can go to a website for Bret: http://checkthem.org