Former KISS star PETER CRISS was so embarrassed after he was diagnosed with breast cancer he decided to keep his illness a secret for almost a year.
Criss, who left the rock band in 1980, found a lump in his left nipple in December 2007 and was shocked to find out he had the disease, which is more commonly associated with women.
And the drummer admits he vowed to keep the news quiet, only telling his wife, Gigi - because he feared he would be ridiculed in the press.
He tells America's CNN news network, "I was petrified. I kept thinking, 'This is not happening to me.' I went into total shock. My wife and I discussed it a lot and we were like, we can't let anyone know this because the tabloids are vicious."
But Criss finally decided to go public with his condition in a bid to help other men diagnosed with breast cancer.
He adds, "So it's embarrassing. Somebody should (say something). I think you should open you big mouth and say something. Even if only one or two guys get this, or their wives say to them 'I think there's something wrong, I think we should check this out.' Then I have achieved something more than a People's Choice award or a gold record."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/15/male.breast.cancer/

That's sad, there's absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. If you've got nipples, you've got a chance at breast cancer. Maybe it should be referred to as "chest cancer" though since men do get it also.

I'm glad he's doing better and pray there's no chance of it coming back on him. :(

Yes, it is really sad, especially that he didn't want to be "ridiculed in the press". It's a shame that the press would sink so low that they would make fun of somebody who has a deadly disease, whether they are male or female.

I can see the tabloids screaming something like, "Peter Criss on his death bed"!:rolleyes:

The best of luck to Peter and hope he's doing much better.;)

But Criss finally decided to go public with his condition in a bid to help other men diagnosed with breast cancer.
He adds, "So it's embarrassing. Somebody should (say something). I think you should open you big mouth and say something. Even if only one or two guys get this, or their wives say to them 'I think there's something wrong, I think we should check this out.'

Then I have achieved something more than a People's Choice award or a gold record."

One of the best quotes I have ever heard from anybody.:rock:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/15/male.breast.cancer/[/QUOTE]

I could understand why he reacted like so since his history with the tabloids is not so great.

It was reported he was homeless and living on the beach entertaining as a panhandler; which it turns out it was a homeless man saying he was Peter Criss. The tabloid press reported that Peter was doing this after he left KISS.

Then Peter and the homeless dude met on Phil Donahue; Peter seemed upset but he said it was not totally the man's fault and that he was more angry towards the press that were reporting it.


I hope Peter is well now.

how sad he had nothing to be ashamed of

I would be more concerned about getting a clean bil of health more than anything else. Thank God he is alright.

Best KISS quote ever.

So it's embarrassing. Somebody should (say something). I think you should open you big mouth and say something. Even if only one or two guys get this, or their wives say to them 'I think there's something wrong, I think we should check this out.' Then I have achieved something more than a People's Choice award or a gold record. - Peter Criss

Breast Cancer in men (from what I heard) is worse than when a woman gets it.

But it's more like 1 in 100.

It's a great thing that he came out with the news. It would encourage other men to get examined and get treated for it.

I remember that one announcer for 'The Price Is Right' died from breast cancer. :(

It's a great thing that he came out with the news. It would encourage other men to get examined and get treated for it.

I remember that one announcer for 'The Price Is Right' died from breast cancer. :(

If I'm not mistaken, Rod Roddy from The Price Is Right had both breast cancer, and colon cancer. I can't even watch The Price Is Right anymore. It just isn't the same without him. :(