Refua Shleima CTLAWYER, it should quickly and completely disappear.
It is not that rare. I believe it is not completely true that literature is only about women, and you can certainly provide advice on how to make the male audience more receptive. I recall in the 80s (that is a long time ago and it was in europe) I gave out flyers and handouts, occasionally a man would decline and I would say the information is for the women in your life and also for you and your male friends, because men too can have breast tumours and breast malignant cancers.
I am sorry to hear that still some people are ignorant, and inside a breast cancer unit, no less; but one can not blame flyers for that. I would also like to remark that the very fact you felt a lump means that you read one such handout and followed its advice, or that a doctor recommended you regularly self-check. Flyers, or some of them at least, try to include at least one drawing that doesn’t look obviously like a female.
In the early 2000s the male presenter of “The Price is Right” was diagnosed with breast cancer, which ultimately took his life, and he has been a big campaigner and financial supporter of breast cancer awareness among males in the US. I was under the impression that he had been able to make a huge difference, unfortunately there’s always more worl to do.
I think the foundation director is correct about males being more embarrassed in visiting the doctor, but that is the case also with male-only lumps and symptoms. Perhaps we all should talk more about health with our children, both males and females.
I also believe it is very true that breast units are not really organized for male patients. However, what is important is that they care for you and solve your health problems. Write down notes on what could and should be improved, and you can later share these. Same thing with flyers, I am sorry you were faced with inadequate literature – which, unfortunately, exists – take note of changes you’d like to see and email / call before next reprint. Sometimes people mean to do well, and they simply do not know how to do. As for the ignorant patients, that’s what they are, have compassion on them who are reacting out of ignorance at a very vulnerable time.
Again a huge heartfelt refua shleima, may the therapy be light and quick and heal you completely.