I am Gordon and I live in Swinton, Manchester. I am married with a daughter and am a lay preacher in the Methodist Church. I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 when I was 45 years old.
I nearly killed myself due to my own ignorance!
It all started with pain in my left nipple. I put ointment on it and thought nothing more about it. Then the nipple started to go inwards, and I still thought nothing about it. Even when it went hard and started to crumble, I wasn’t too bothered about it.
All due to my own ignorance!
It was an asthma attack that saved my life. I had a very bad attack and finished up in hospital, on a ventilator. I recovered from this, but alarm bells went off when I was told I could not go home until the breast clinic had seen me. A doctor had noticed my infected nipple.
So I was wheeled down for a mammogram, and the result was a diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer. I was stunned – This was the first time I knew men could get this disease as well as women.
A week later, I was back in the hospital, had my left breast removed, and was put on Tamoxifen, hormone therapy. I was lucky that I went into remission quickly. Apart from mood swings, I didn’t have any other adverse reactions to the drug.
This lasted for 15 years. Then one day in 2021, I woke up with a twinge in my right breast and found a lump. I knew immediately that something was wrong; experience told me. I saw my doctor the same day and was referred back to the breast clinic. I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Because I had acted quickly, it was caught at an early stage and is treatable but inoperable. I take Letrozole daily and have a monthly Goserelin injection.
I have been a member of The Men’s VMU (a monthly online Zoom meeting for men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer) since it started. I am grateful that this platform exists, joining together other men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Together, we are passionate about spreading the word, and of course, being able to support and understand each other is invaluable.
We held a VMU physical get-together in July, which was very special with so many of us attending. It is good to talk on Zoom, but nothing beats meeting in person.
I know that my lack of knowledge could have killed me, but for a huge slice of luck. Awareness, 15 years later, saved my life.
I am passionate about educating people in any way that I can. I want to say to all men, keep an eye on your breast and if anything changes, get to the doctor without delay. Partners, if you see something different in your man’s breast, make sure they goes to the doctor immediately. Men can be stubborn!