I am a 42-year-old man who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. I am a military veteran, Royal Air Force Mechanical Transport Driver for 12 years, dealing with road movements, refueling Aircraft. I played rugby in my service, up to representing Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland in rugby league, been hit in the chest and had lumps before.
In January 2025, I felt a burning sensation in my right breast and felt a lump. I told my wife and forgot about it, and it then grew, and I told my father-in-law and friends. They advised me to get it checked out.
Four weeks later, after putting it off as it would go away, I contacted my doc, and he sent me to the breast clinic as a precaution. The nurse in charge said it was a bit of fat, here is a leaflet, but will send you for a mammogram just to make sure.
Trying to get my breasts in the machine was a joke. They told me they needed to do an ultrasound scan, then said they needed to do a biopsy in 2 places, as there were 3 lumps.
Two weeks later, I was told I had breast cancer, and it had spread to my right arm, and I needed an operation. With my colorful medical history, I needed a critical care team on hand for the operation.
The surgery took place on the 24th of April 2025, and I am now undergoing chemotherapy treatment. I will then have to go on to immunotherapy and radiotherapy after Christmas of this year. Once that is complete, in January 2026, after radiotherapy, I will be on tablet treatment for 10 years.
Hopefully there will be more treatments after that as my breast cancer is unusual, it’s hormonal, and that means my body is attacking itself so I will be on treatment for the rest of my life.