Amajita walk in heels!

 

Men taking part in a 500m walkathon aimed at raising awareness on breast cancer.

Men Confront the Reality of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer, commonly associated with women, also poses a risk for men. According to the Breast Health Foundation, 1% to 3% of all breast cancers occur in men. Prostate cancer survivor David Lucas (66) shared with Daily Pulse that many men remain unaware of this risk.

“Research shows there may be a link between prostate and breast cancer, but men often don't know and delay testing until it’s too late,” said David. He highlighted the stigma that men face when it comes to showing vulnerability. “Men only see the doctor when they’re sick, and often avoid it due to the fear of seeming weak. Everything changed for me when I was diagnosed.”

David Lucas was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013. "Luckily for me, they diagnosed it early, and I was able to start treatment. Today, I'm here to make noise about it," he shared.

David recently took part in the third "Men in Heels" walkathon at Cedar Square Shopping Centre in Fourways, Johannesburg, on Saturday, 12 October. The 500-meter walkathon, which featured men walking in heels, aimed to raise awareness about breast cancer.

"We wore heels. It was fun and interesting, but there was a strong message: raising awareness about breast cancer and educating men on the importance of testing. If cancer is diagnosed early, you have a chance of living a long life. So, we wore heels," said David.

Tumi Lesolang, one of the men who took part in the "Men in Heels" walkathon, admitted that while his calves were sore, the experience was worth it. "I had no idea men could get breast cancer. When this initiative came up, I thought it would be the perfect platform to learn. Not only did I walk away with knowledge, but I was also tested to become more aware of my own health," he shared.

Lerato Masha (45), another participant, echoed Tumi's sentiments, praising the initiative for raising awareness and encouraging conversations about cancer among men. "It should become a norm, like how women talk about getting a pap smear. We also need to encourage testing," he said.