A man who says he was perfectly healthy was shocked to discover he had breast cancer after spotting a pea-sized lump on his chest.
James Richards is now urging all lads to "check their moobs" for the disease. The 37-year-old Londoner said he "thought nothing" of the lump but decided to see his GP anyway. After a few tests his world was turned upside down by the news he had stage-three breast cancer.
James said: "I found a lump the size of a small pea on my breast next to my nipple - didn't think it was anything (because men don't get breast cancer). Other than that, I was perfectly healthy. I went to the GP who referred me to a breast clinic - both didn't think it was cancer. I had an ultrasound, a biopsy and a mammogram and then it was confirmed."
James' situation has led him on a lifesaving mission to set up the UK's first male breast cancer organisation, called moobs. TV doctors have even thrown their weight behind the campaign to raise awareness and challenge the way people speak about the disease. James said: "As a bloke, I've always been aware of the risks of prostate and testicular cancer, but I had no idea lads could get breast cancer you just don't hear about it."
"In the days after my diagnosis I was surprised by the lack of tailored support and information readily available around the disease and much of my treatment plan was based on what was offered to women. There are differences, but with so few cases and a lack of funding for male breast cancer, we are in danger of isolating those that need support the most."
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK, with around 55,000 new diagnoses in women made each year. Just 400 new cases of male breast cancer are reported in the same period. James feels the wording used around the disease means it can often be perceived to be a "female-only" cancer, leaving men dangerously unaware of the symptoms that could save their lives. He said with men less likely to visit their GP, raising awareness is "more important than ever."
James, who runs monthly support sessions via Zoom, is not alone in his mission as his organisation has already secured public backing from two of TV's most recognisable health experts in ITV Lorraine's resident doctor, Dr Amir Khan, and This Morning's Dr Zoe Williams.
As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Amir stated: "Without raising awareness of male breast cancer, many of these incidences won't be caught until it's too late. We hope that moobs will help instigate change by challenging the language around the disease and encouraging men to check their pecs and book an appointment if they find anything suspicious."
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