When Dave Parisot felt a lump in his left breast back in July 2010, he knew what it was.
After watching his older sister and two nieces fight breast cancer, Parisot knew that men could be diagnosed, too. Although he never suspected it could be him.
'I had weight-loss surgery in February 2010,' he said. 'After losing the fatty tissue, I could feel the lump.'
When Parisot went to the doctor, he found out the cancer was stage 2. In August, he had his mastectomy. He did not have to undergo chemo or radiation.
Perhaps the most difficult part of Parisot's breast cancer battle was continuing his campaign for Okaloosa County Commissioner, but he didn't let the diagnosis get in the way. He ended up winning the election and is still the District II commissioner.
'I had my surgery six days prior to the primary election,' he said. 'When I was released from the hospital, I went straight to a campaigning event.'
Ironically, Oct. 1, the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, was when Parisot was told he was cancer-free. A few days later, he went public with his experience.
'Yes, men can get breast cancer,' he said. 'People just aren't aware. It is fairly rare. But I'm not the only male in the community. I've had other men come up to me to share their story after hearing about my experience.'
During the month of October, you'll likely see him sporting one of his many pink ties and survivor pins. In the past, he was an honorary chairmen of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk and was the first male to grace the cover of the 'Emerald Lady Journal' for a breast cancer themed issue.
'I have more pink shirts than I'm probably supposed to have,' he said with a laugh.
About 2,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States every year, compared to more than 230,000 diagnosed women. Even though breast cancer is generally seen as a woman's cause - even the ribbon is a stereotypical pink - Parisot doesn't shy away from embracing his survival story.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Jennie McKeon at 850-315-4432 or jmckeon@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennieMnwfdn.
Campaigning with cancer: County commissioner Dave Parisot was on the campaign trail when diagnosed
When Dave Parisot felt a lump in his left breast back in July 2010, he knew what it was.
After watching his older sister and two nieces fight breast cancer, Parisot knew that men could be diagnosed, too. Although he never suspected it could be him.
'I had weight-loss surgery in February 2010,' he said. 'After losing the fatty tissue, I could feel the lump.'
When Parisot went to the doctor, he found out the cancer was stage 2. In August, he had his mastectomy. He did not have to undergo chemo or radiation.
Perhaps the most difficult part of Parisot's breast cancer battle was continuing his campaign for Okaloosa County Commissioner, but he didn't let the diagnosis get in the way. He ended up winning the election and is still the District II commissioner.
'I had my surgery six days prior to the primary election,' he said. 'When I was released from the hospital, I went straight to a campaigning event.'
Ironically, Oct. 1, the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, was when Parisot was told he was cancer-free. A few days later, he went public with his experience.
'Yes, men can get breast cancer,' he said. 'People just aren't aware. It is fairly rare. But I'm not the only male in the community. I've had other men come up to me to share their story after hearing about my experience.'
During the month of October, you'll likely see him sporting one of his many pink ties and survivor pins. In the past, he was an honorary chairmen of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk and was the first male to grace the cover of the 'Emerald Lady Journal' for a breast cancer themed issue.
'I have more pink shirts than I'm probably supposed to have,' he said with a laugh.
About 2,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States every year, compared to more than 230,000 diagnosed women. Even though breast cancer is generally seen as a woman's cause - even the ribbon is a stereotypical pink - Parisot doesn't shy away from embracing his survival story.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Jennie McKeon at 850-315-4432 or jmckeon@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennieMnwfdn.
