Male breast cancer survivor in warning to other men

It’s a deadly disease usually associated with the fairer sex, but men must shake the taboo and take it seriously, says a survivor.

Nick Szkutenko was shocked when what he thought was a bruise on his chest was actually male breast cancer.

The Brisbane local discovered his cancer by accident when he ploughed into a branch cutting grass.

“I noticed a bit of a lump on my right breast afterwards, about the size of a 5c coin,” Mr Szkutenko said.

“I got the lump checked, thinking it was just a bruise.”

But his doctor explained the hard lump didn’t feel like a bruise and conducted further tests.

Mr Szkutenko said he was shocked and embarrassed when he was first diagnosed with male breast cancer.

“I didn’t tell anyone at first,” he said.

“I couldn’t quite believe why me or how males were susceptible to a predominantly female disease.

Nick Szkutenko was diagnosed with male breast cancer. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“But cancer doesn’t discriminate what sex you are.

“Men tend to brush things off and use the ‘she’ll be right’ and dismiss things that they shouldn’t dismiss.”

Mr Szkutenko telling his story coincides with the start of Men’s Health Week, aiming to break down barriers that prevent men from seeking health information.

According to health organisation, Healthy Male, some of the reasons men neglect their health is due to denial, mistrust and the fear of being perceived as weak.

Healthy Male CEO Simon von Saldern said we need to eliminate the idea of being perceived as weak, for what should be basic health seeking behaviours.

Mr Szkutenko encouraged more men to be proactive and get regular health checks.

“Men shouldn’t wait until their health becomes a problem,” he said.

Mr Szkutenko is now cancer free after having an operation and six sessions of chemotherapy.