NEW ORLEANS — A well-known business leader is speaking out about facing a type of cancer you don't usually hear about in men.
And he is teaming up with a cancer organization to bring education on men's health, into future public forums.
As Chairman and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards, Boysie Bollinger travels the world for work, but also with friends and family for his love as an outdoor sportsman. He's seen things around the globe, but one thing he never thought he'd face is breast cancer.
“I went to a physical, a normal physical at my doctor, and my nipple was retracting, and I was having him looked at it, and he immediately sent me for a biopsy, which came back positive,” said Bollinger.
There was surgery, radiation, and chemo, and the side effects that come with it.
“I was visiting my granddaughter and my great-grandson, and I was brushing my hair to go see them, and it was just coming out in chunks. So, I took my razor out, and just shaved it,” he remembers.
“The number one problem that men have, with getting a proper diagnosis, is they avoid their physicians. And because of that, they are more than likely going to be diagnosed with an advanced cancer,” said Kim Sport, President of the Cancer Association of Louisiana.
Kim survived breast and thyroid cancer. As president of the Cancer Association of Louisiana, she advocates for changes in laws and raises funds to support people in treatment. And now, with the help of Boysie, she is kicking off a new cancer mission.
“Men have higher rates of cancer and higher rates of mortality than women do. So, this is our opportunity to put the focus on men,” she said.
Her goal is four statewide seminars, with doctors educating men about cancer, their bodies, the importance of regular screenings, and treatments. Boysie will kick off the first fundraiser by telling his story.
“Any kind of symptom that you see that's abnormal, go get it checked. As men, we are macho, and we don't think we need all of that, and I waited way too long. I probably should have gone six months earlier,” Bollinger said.
He decided he was not going to feel sorry for himself and to travel in between treatments. Now, last year is in the past.
“And it was a tough year. I mean, it's not an easy treatment, but the reality is I don't have cancer, and despite a lot of scaring I have on my chest, I'm fine,” he said.
The fundraiser for CALA: A Focus on Men's Health Luncheon will be held on Friday, June 28 at noon at
Galatoire's 33 Bar & Steak, 209 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130.\
Register here.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.