Monthly News & Updates

Men can get Breast Cancer

June is Men's Health Month. This month we are raising awareness about male breast cancer. Here are 5 interesting facts about male breast cancer:

1. Incident Rate: Although male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases, the American Cancer Society estimates that in the US, about 2,650 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2023.
2. Mortality Rate: Breast cancer can be more aggressive in men due to factors like delayed diagnosis, often leading to a higher mortality rate. However, survival rates have been improving with advancements in detection and treatment. The American Cancer Society estimated that about 530 men would die from breast cancer in the United States in 2023.
3. Risk Factors: Some factors that increase the risk of breast cancer in men include age (risk increases with age), a family history of breast cancer, certain genetic mutations (such as BRCA2), exposure to estrogen (either through hormone therapy or occupational exposure), radiation exposure, and liver disease.
4. Symptoms and Diagnosis: Men should be aware of the symptoms of breast cancer, which may include a lump or swelling in the breast, nipple retraction or discharge, and changes in the skin of the breast. Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, imaging tests (e.g., mammography, ultrasound), and a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancer cells.
5. Treatment: The treatment options for male breast cancer are generally similar to those for women and may include surgery (such as a mastectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy. The specific treatment plan depends on various factors, including the stage of cancer and individual patient characteristics.

Speak to a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. The sooner you are diagnosed, the better the prognosis.

Meet Shelly Stever, Board Member

Shelly (Owens) Stever is the Managing Partner of Global Recruiters of Lakeville, a specialty recruiting franchise. As a former National Sales Director for a $3B manufacturing company, Shelly has over 25 years of corporate experience in leading teams, driving revenue growth, and building long lasting relationships. Shelly spent 20 years with the same company, training and empowering internal and external customers, guiding global leadership teams, and mentoring future leaders, all while driving double digit growth within her selling teams in North America. Prior to that role, Shelly was a college admissions recruiter, both in private and public education sectors. Her expertise in recruiting, retaining talent, establishing sales best practices, and creating a fun motivating culture of inclusion are a few of the things Shelly is best known for.



Shelly lost her younger sister to breast cancer at the age of 38. She has been passionate about volunteering her time and energy to a few other breast cancer related organizations since her sisters’ passing as a way to carry on her legacy and story, and is thrilled to be a member of the Hope Chest Board. In her spare time, Shelly enjoys the outdoors, the ocean, spending time with her family and friends, and is a proud “boy mom” of an 8yr old stepson, 4 yr old and 2yr old.

Welcome to the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation Board Shelly, we are excited to have you part of the team!

Pay It Forward is a non-profit fund that helps breast and women’s cancer patients pay basic living expenses while they go through treatment so they can focus on what’s really important - getting healthy. 

PayItForwardFund.net is a partner of Ridgeview Foundation. They work with 20 local hospitals in Minnesota.