Male breast cancer: ‘He told everyone it was a shark bite’

When people saw the large scar across his chest, one man was too embarrassed to reveal the real cause. Sadly, his story is not uncommon.

“HE TOLD everyone his mastectomy scar was a shark bite.”

That’s how men often react to having breast cancer, McGrath breast care nurse Karen Miles told The Sunday Mail.

“They are embarrassed to reveal they had a “pink”, very feminine cancer.”

Ms Miles has been 15 years in the job and could count on one hand the number of men she has supported through breast cancer.

Of the 20,000 Australians diagnosed last year, only 167 were men.

“My job can be a little more difficult supporting men,” Ms Miles said.

“They are often completely shocked and blown away by their diagnoses as they are not taught like women to look out for breast changes.

“It can take them a bit of time to trust me and talk about their feelings.

“Some feel it is a weakness. One of my patients used to tell everyone that his mastectomy scar was actually from a shark attack.

“He didn’t want to seem less manly. But all patients are different.”

Most men have mastectomies when they have breast cancer as they have much less breast tissue than women and are unable to have lumpectomies. While men do not have milk ducts, the cancer can grow in the tissue and can be hormone-related.

“The cancers can be oestrogen positive – the kinds of cancer in men are the same as women but men can present for treatment later as they are not ever thinking they could have breast cancer,” Ms Miles said.

Breast cancer survivor Albert Golding with his wife Amelia. Picture: Jamie Hanson

Ipswich father-of-three Albert Golding thought his cancer was a bee sting.

“I had been out in the garden trimming hedges and I thought I had been stung on the chest,” he said.

“It was only when I noticed my nipple had inverted that I went to the GP, who immediately sent me for tests.

“I’m lucky that he was clued in, as men having breast cancer is so rare.

“I was beyond shocked. I never knew men could have breast cancer. I want to warn other men to be alert and watch for changes. If you leave it too long it can have devastating results.”

The teacher’s aide was diagnosed at stage three. He had two positive lymph nodes.

After two operations, chemotherapy and radiation he is cancer free and enjoying every moment of life.