‘Living Well, Your Way’ on male breast cancer awareness day

Friday 20 October is Male Breast Cancer Awareness Day.  

It is still a common misconception that breast cancer is only a woman’s disease when in fact it is predicted that 215 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. The risk for a man to be diagnosed with breast cancer over a lifetime is 1 in 542.  

Thankfully BCNA’s network includes many men who have been generous in sharing their stories to help raise awareness of breast cancer in males.  

One of these men is Paul. After an initial early breast cancer diagnosis in 2018, Paul was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer a few years later.  

“I often get a surprised reaction when I tell people I have breast cancer. For me, I just have cancer. If you solely use the word ‘women’ to describe breast cancer, you’re mostly correct. But you’re still incorrect.” 

Paul has just returned from a holiday with his young family and is determined to keep passion at the centre of his life.  

“I’d like other men to be comfortable to share their diagnosis and seek out any support they need.” 

You can read more about Paul’s story in our latest edition of The Beacon. 

You can read more incredible personal stories shared by our members, including Phil who was diagnosed in 2020 and had no idea men could get breast cancer. Also, the late Harry Brooks who was a passionate advocate for men diagnosed with breast cancer.