Governor Chris Christie has officially declared the week of Oct. 21-27 as "Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week" to spread the word that breast cancer does not only affect women.

Blue cupcakes in honor of male breast cancer by the Blue Wave MBC
Blue cupcakes in honor of male breast cancer displayed by the Blue Wave MBC (Facebook)
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While breast cancer in men is rare, it does happen, because like women, men have breast tissue.

According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the ratio of female to male breast cancer in the U.S. 100 to 1. Even so, 2,190 men are expected to be diagnosed and 410 are expected to die from the disease in the U.S. in 2012.

It is important for men to realize their risk for diagnosis and be aware of the signs.

Two N.J. women have joined together to support the cause and inform men about breast cancer.

Creators of The Blue Wave, Alexis Ritter Gubbay of Maplewood and Cheri Ambrose of East Hanover, have joined forces with Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Jersey on a male breast cancer awareness campaign.

Christie's declaration joins New Jersey with Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts in recognizing the importance of sharing information about male breast cancer.

For more information about male breast cancer, visit BreastCancer.org.

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