South Florida couple diagnosed with breast cancer

Stuart Wein, 69, was wrapping up treatment when wife was diagnosed with disease

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Breast cancer is usually thought of as a female disease, but it can affect men too, and one South Florida couple was taken aback when they ended up fighting the disease together.

Susan and Stuart Wein have been married for more than 40 years. They have a  lot of things in common, but never thought breast cancer would be one of them.

Stuart Wein, 69, was the first to be diagnosed when he felt a lump three years ago.

"It's all about knowing your body and self-examination," breast oncologist Dr. Thomas Samuel said.

That's exactly what saved Stuart Wein's life.

Samuel said men need to know they, too, can have breast cancer.

"We have about 2,000 cases of male breast cancer in the U.S. every year, compared to nearly 300,000 female breast cancer cases," he said.

Men, like women, have breast tissue -- just not as much. That's why, Samuel said, if you see a change, a puckering or feel a lump, it's time to see a doctor. 

"In men with breast cancer, because they get diagnosed early, because they feel it, their treatments are based on surgery, radiation (and) hormonal therapy," Samuel said.

Stuart Wein was just wrapping up his treatment and feeling good when his wife, Susan, learned she, too, had breast cancer.

Since her family had a history of the disease, Susan Wein, 66, made sure she got regular exams.

"We're married 43 years, so we share a lot. So, what the hell. People kept asking, 'Are you OK? Are you OK?'  I'm fine. He's fine. We're going to continue," Susan Wein said.

It's exactly that positive attitude, along with early detection, that has this couple fighting and beating breast cancer together.

"You have to be proactive. You have to push, push, push," Stuart Wein said. "When something is wrong with your body, your body will tell you there's something wrong. You have to follow it up."

While doctors are seeing a growing number of younger women diagnosed with breast cancer these days, most of the men diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 60.  


About the Author:

Kristi Krueger has built a solid reputation as an award-winning medical reporter and effervescent anchor. She joined Local 10 in August 1993. After many years co-anchoring the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., Kristi now co-anchors the noon newscasts, giving her more time in the evening with her family.