The UConn experience … made my cancer journey as efficient and easy as possible. — Norman Smith<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Before starting treatment, Smith consulted with the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center\u2019s Genetic Counseling Program<\/a> to gain greater insight into why he developed the disease and his future risk.<\/p>\n The risk factors for developing male breast cancer are a family history of the disease, genetic predisposition, radiation exposure, or hormonal irregularities in the body, according to Smith\u2019s oncologist, Dr. Susan Tannenbaum, chief of the Division of Hematology\/Oncology at UConn Health\u2019s\u00a0 Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n The genetic counselor at UConn Health, Robin Schwartz,\u00a0discussed the option for genetic testing with Smith. A test could help provide information about his risks for other types of cancer such as prostate cancer, she says.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso, importantly we discussed how the results of his test could guide management and cancer prevention strategies for his family members,\u201d says Schwartz.<\/p>\n Genetic testing would reveal if Smith had BRCA, an inherited gene mutation that places an individual at higher risk for developing breast cancer and also puts women at greater risk of ovarian cancer. A child born to a parent who carries the BRCA gene has a 50 percent chance of carrying the gene themselves, along with a 50 percent chance of passing it to each of their children.<\/p>\n \u201cI had never heard of it either, but turns out I do have the BRCA gene,\u201d says Smith. He recalled that his family had a\u00a0strong history of breast cancer among the women on his father\u2019s side.<\/p>\n He chose to undergo a double mastectomy surgery to remove his tumor, along with his remaining left and right breast tissue, with UConn Health breast surgeon Dr. Christina Stevenson. \u201cAny odds of a recurrence was more than I was willing to work with,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n After the successful surgery at UConn John Dempsey Hospital, Smith has continued to receive follow-up care. Many of his visits took place at the new Outpatient Pavilion at UConn Health, which opened earlier this year. “[The] facility is absolutely awesome,” he says. “Same great people caring for you, but the atmosphere is so quiet and relaxing that it really helps patients like me deal better with our cancer care visits and infusions.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Norman](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Norman-Smith-225x300.jpg\")