Male Breast Cancer: A Patient’s Perspective

IT IS ESTIMATED 2,550 men in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Michael Singer never imagined he’d become, at age 50, one of the statistics.

BSTQ: What is your survival story?

Michael: This December, I will be a nine-year breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ when I was 50 years old.

BSTQ: What were your symptoms?

Michael: I had a small lump like a pencil eraser under my left nipple. It wasn’t rock hard, but it felt pliable. My nipple also felt sensitive. I had the lump under my nipple for several months. I was hoping it would just go away. I was at a checkup with my doctor, but I was too embarrassed to mention it. Later, the doctor’s office called with concerns about my blood work. When I went back, I mentioned the lump, and my doctor was alarmed. He knew my family history and that I had lost my sister to metastatic breast cancer two years prior.

BSTQ: How were you diagnosed?

Michael: I was referred to a surgeon who tried a needle biopsy, followed by a surgical biopsy that led to the diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ. I had a mastectomy of my left breast several days later. I was diagnosed as stage 2B.

BSTQ: How did you handle the news emotionally?

Michael: I was embarrassed at first. I did not talk about my cancer. I thought I was a freak. I never heard of men getting breast cancer. I couldn’t even say breast cancer; I told people I had chest cancer! After seeing a young man on the Katie Couric show with actor Richard Roundtree, I had an epiphany: Why am I embarrassed when these guys are on national TV talking about it? After that, I opened up. My friends and family were very supportive, and my wife encouraged me to get out there and share my story. My friends lovingly called me “Uni Nip.” We laughed, and I accepted it totally and got into patient advocacy.

BSTQ: Tell us about your advocacy work.

Michael: I became a member of the Male Breast Cancer Coalition, a not-for-profit group that promotes education and awareness of male breast cancer. I first spoke at a community meeting about my cancer, and I met my locally elected State Assemblyman Michael Benedetto. He worked with me and sponsored a New York State Proclamation signed by Governor Cuomo that declared the third week of October as Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week in New York. I have been presented the proclamation at several events over the past few years. Since then, many states have yet to come on board, but we have been working with patients in all 50 states to make this a reality.

BSTQ: Tell us about your work with research organizations.

Michael: I have had the opportunity twice to serve as a consumer reviewer to evaluate research applications submitted to the Breast Cancer Research Program sponsored by the Department of Defense. I found this experience extremely rewarding, and it made me feel like I could make a difference. It was rewarding and emotional to interact with scientists and patient advocates dedicated to improving life for those of us living with this disease.

I also discovered the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s advocacy training known as Project Lead Initiative. This educational program teaches advocates about public policy and the role they can play in breast cancer research. The training also covers the basics of molecular biology, genetics, clinical trials and epidemiology, which is the study of diseases in populations. This training empowered me to educate the public about male breast cancer.

BSTQ: What advice would you give to other men with this diagnosis?

Michael: Your voice is important. As an advocate for men with breast cancer, you represent a very small population in the breast cancer community. You are the voice of the 1 percent of breast cancer patients who are men. Be the voice of men who are no longer with us and the voice of men who are embarrassed to speak up.