I was diagnosed with male breast cancer in 2023.
I had started noticing some discomfort from my car seat belt against my chest. Around that same time, my wife had booked us a special trip to London to stay at The Savoy for my 60th birthday in June 2023. While we were in the pool, I noticed a small lump on my chest. At the time, I wasn’t overly concerned and otherwise felt perfectly well.
I contacted my doctor and initially had a phone appointment. He suggested I “see if it clears up.” Needless to say, after a couple of weeks it had not, so I booked a face-to-face appointment. That was when reality started to hit. The doctor called in his senior partner, and they both looked concerned. They immediately arranged for scans and a biopsy.
The scan showed a mass, but the radiologist was confident it was benign. He said he was “99% sure” it was nothing serious. A biopsy was taken, and then the waiting came. I was told to expect a phone call with the results.
About a week later, I received the dreaded call asking me to come in. Deep down, I already knew it was not going to be good news. If everything had been fine, I assumed it would have simply been a quick phone call.
I met with Dr. Jill Clayton at Chelmsford Hospital, and she confirmed the diagnosis: breast cancer. She was incredibly reassuring and immediately told me that she intended to cure me. Surgery was scheduled for August 23, 2023.
I left the hospital completely distraught. To be honest, I had no idea men could even get breast cancer. Then came all the questions — why me? They told me it was rare, but that offered little comfort.
I reached out to the Macmillan Cancer Support charity, and they helped me enormously during those early days.
The surgery went well. Dr. Clayton is an amazing surgeon — compassionate, professional, and reassuring throughout the entire process. After surgery, she came to see me and said the words every cancer patient longs to hear: “It’s out, and you are cancer-free.”
It was wonderful news, but strangely, it didn’t instantly make me feel better. I was told the tumor would still need to be analyzed, and the results would determine whether I needed further treatment. The waiting was unbearable.
The period between diagnosis and surgery was one of the biggest mental challenges of my life. Thankfully, my beautiful family and close friends kept me going. One friend in particular, Zoe, who had also experienced breast cancer, became someone I truly leaned on for advice and support.
Unfortunately, the cancer turned out to be larger and more aggressive than initially thought. When I met with the oncologist, however, he remained very positive. My score was 12 — well below the threshold for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The cancer was estrogen-fed, so I was prescribed daily Tamoxifen instead. I felt hugely relieved and, for the first time in weeks, I finally slept properly that night.
What I didn’t realize was how difficult the side effects of Tamoxifen would become. The medication had a major impact on my mental health, and I eventually needed psychotherapy for quite some time.
Since then, there have been good and bad days. I recently underwent laser treatment for my scarring, which unexpectedly led to another biopsy. I’m currently waiting for the results this Friday.
If I’m being honest, I feel battered and bruised by the entire experience. The fear of recurrence is always there in the background. Cancer changes you.
Before cancer, I was fit, healthy, active, a non-smoker, and someone who enjoyed life without much worry. After diagnosis, you inevitably begin asking yourself what you did wrong.
Despite everything, there has also been so much positivity. Over the past three years, I’ve enjoyed wonderful holidays, precious family gatherings, and beautiful moments with my grandchildren. I owe so much of that to Dr. Jill Clayton, and I’ve told her that personally — even hugging her like she was an old friend.
The breast unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford has been outstanding throughout my journey.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve shed many tears along the way. But I’m still here.
Life will always bring challenges, and sadly cancer touches so many people. What this experience has taught me is the importance of focusing on what truly matters — family, love, friendship, health, and making the most of every single day.
Life is beautiful, and we should never forget to enjoy it.