Men diagnosed with breast cancer share experiences
During Men’s Health Week, men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer met up to raise awareness. For many of them, it was the first time they had met another man who had been treated for the disease.
These men are part of breast cancer charity Walk the Walk’s Men Get Breast Cancer Too campaign, which includes 24 men.
Men’s Health Week is about encouraging men to be aware of how they can improve their health and to highlight the various symptoms that they should look out for. Breast cancer in men does not feature high on the list – in fact, ask most men and they will tell you that they do not check their chests and many don’t even know that men can get breast cancer.
The signs to look out for are an inverted nipple, a lump behind the nipple, a discharge, reddening or skin dimpling.
For more details of how men should check their chest, click here for a poster specially created by the men and Walk the Walk. Tips include standing in front of a mirror and checking the chest area whilst in the shower.
Mark Winter from Tunbridge Wells was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. He said: “Until today at the Men Get Breast Cancer Too event I hadn’t met any other men with breast cancer.
“I found it fascinating and actually amazing to have the opportunity to share experiences and talk openly about my breast cancer diagnosis. It has made me realise that the feelings I have been experiencing are the same as other men, I am not on my own.
“For me it was also about seeing that men who have had breast cancer in the past and are still doing well.”
Pam Cleveland from Newark, Nottinghamshire attended today’s gathering with her husband Neil. Both of them have previously been diagnosed with breast cancer. Pam said: “Neil’s never opened up to anybody since he was diagnosed with breast cancer and now he’s opening up so much to these other men, about something which they all have in common.
“I’ve even heard him acknowledge today how hard his diagnosis was for me as his partner and he’s never said that before. Having had breast cancer myself, I’ve experienced both sides of the story. Women do talk to each other more, but now Walk the Walk’s campaign is giving the men the platform to talk too, to share their experiences and to help each other with their unanswered questions.”
Tracey Crouch, the MP for Chatham and Aylesford recently finished her own treatment for breast cancer and is giving her support to the Men Get Breast Cancer Too campaign. She said: “I have used my platform as a politician to encourage people, both women and men, to check their chests.
“I understand how uncomfortable speaking out about breast cancer can be, which is why I have absolute admiration for these men. Working with Walk the Walk they are going out of their comfort zone to literally help save lives. It is also great to see that several charities are working in collaboration to support these amazing men”.
To find out more about Walk the Walk’s Men Get Breast Cancer Too campaign, go to https://walkthewalk.org/about-us/men-get-breast-cancer-too