What if men cry?

I got the idea for this post because of the national campaign "Os Homens Também Choram" promoted by the association Viver e Vencer, an association dealing with victims of breast cancer. The victims are obviously women, but what we tend to forget is that, even though this is a female problem, there are countless men behind these women: their husbands, companions, fathers, sons, brothers, male friends, lovers (let's not be cynical here). One thing in common: they are all suffering!

At long last an association reminds society that it is time to help men that are in pain and do not know how to deal with it. They also need psychological support to face this disease. They also need people that listen to them. They also need to know they are not alone. And yes, what if they cry? Are they less men for that? (I still remember when Dad cried). And they shouldn't be crying alone. They shouldn't be hiding the pain.

Of course that "os homens também choram" is a cliché too much too used. It wouldn't be my choice of words if I was leading this campaign. But it serves its objective. It is there to bring awareness to a problem nobody talks about: men and a female cancer. Breast cancer kills four women each day in Portugal. Every year 1500 women will die from it. Every year there are 4000 new cases of breast cancer. How many men are also affected? How many men are there behind these women?

And do we see men in those flashy campaigns with all the stars hand in hand with the survivors? Are men interviewed because they helped a woman fight cancer? Do you see men going on tv to talk about their experience or to give their messages of hope to other women or men fighting the same war?

I think you are answering for me!