Breast cancer. When you hear those words, there’s a natural inclination to think of women. After all, we’re told both men and women should perform self-examinations, yet ongoing attention and emphasis are often directed towards women’s experiences. But what if the person with the diagnosis is a man? I’ve always felt it necessary to stress that breast cancer does not discriminate and it affects both sexes.
This distinction struck close to home this summer when I was introduced to Warren, the brother-in-law of a good friend of mine. Warren was initially diagnosed with Stage 2 male breast cancer at age 53. After additional medical testing, it was determined that Warren’s cancer had metastasized and he is now living with a Stage 4 diagnosis. He bravely shared his story as part of I WANT YOU TO KNOW, a photo essay I co-produced with award-winning photographer Hilary Gauld and Jenny Dale of Dense Breasts Canada. He also shares his thoughts in a behind-the-scenes video accompanying the photo essay.
Male breast cancer is indeed less talked about and quite rare, representing about 1% of all breast cancer cases but it doesn’t make it any less critical. Men have breast tissue too, and they should also be vigilant through body self-awareness, self-exams and regular check-ups. There are men like Warren, Phil Alderson who bravely share their stories and advocate for their male counterparts, and organizations such as the Male Breast Cancer Alliance focus on awareness-building, research and treatment.
The battle against breast cancer is indeed weary, but it’s easier to fight when we realize it’s a shared battle, traversing gender boundaries. Despite our different genders, our courage united us, and together, we learned to navigate the challenging terrain that is a cancer diagnosis.
