Devon dad's shock at being diagnosed with breast cancer
A Devon dad has told of his shock at being diagnosed with breast cancer because he did not know it was something men could get. Reuben Board, a 53-year-old forklift driver went to his doctor after noticing a lump above his nipple and experiencing pain.
Tests revealed he had stage three breast cancer and it had spread to his lymph nodes. Reuben, of Colyton, underwent chemotherapy and a mastectomy.
He has now signed up for a 100-mile walk in aid of Breast Cancer Now’s life-changing research and support and to raise awareness that it is not just women who can be diagnosed with breast cancer.
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Reuben said: "Generally, there’s still such a stigma around male breast cancer. Some people laughed in my face when I told them I had breast cancer.
"They didn’t believe me. I had to explain, no this isn’t a joke. I’ve had chemotherapy and a mastectomy. A lot of people said they never knew men could get breast cancer.
"It just reinforces the stigma, which means men either remain unaware or find it too embarrassing to self-check. In the worst case, they might avoid going to the GP about a lump or new symptom and leave it too late.”
Reuben went to his GP after experiencing pain while working on a building site in November 2022.
He recalled: "When I squeezed past a stack of blocks I noticed a pain in my nipple as it got caught. When the pain hadn’t subsided after a few weeks, I contacted my GP who referred me for a mammogram and needle biopsy.
"Just before Christmas 2022, I was told I had stage three breast cancer; not the Christmas present I was after. I didn’t even realise men get could breast cancer, but a quick internet search informed me otherwise.
Reuben’s aunt had been diagnosed with breast cancer six years before, but fortunately made a full recovery. His grandmother’s sister had died from the disease back in the 1980s.
Reuben continued: "I was aware of breast cancer, but I didn’t think it would affect me until I noticed the lump right above my nipple. You could see it sticking out. It kept getting bigger and I thought something isn’t right here.
"Being diagnosed was a huge shock. I live alone so it was very much me looking out for myself. My biggest concern was not being able to work. I’m self-employed so there’s no sick pay, no safety net."
When a second biopsy revealed the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes, Reuben realised his life would have to change dramatically to accommodate his chemotherapy treatment.
He said: "I couldn’t work so I had to give up the house I’d been renting for 14 years; a place I considered my home. I’d even paid out of my own pocket to insulate the loft not realising a couple of months later I’d be forced to leave.
"I was lucky that I could move back in with my parents, but they are in their 70s so it wasn’t the ideal situation. But I honestly don’t know how I would have coped on my own."
Reuben then underwent six cycles of chemotherapy from March to June 2023. In November 2023, Reuben received radiotherapy and will now receive ongoing treatment to reduce his risk of recurrence.
He recalled: "The first dose of chemotherapy was the worst. It knocked me off my feet. After that I got more used to it, but there were days when I just couldn’t get out of bed. And then my hair started to fall out. I just didn’t know what to expect."
Following mastectomy surgery at the end of August, Reuben signed up for Breast Cancer Now’s Walk 100 Miles challenge in a bid to regain fitness after treatment.
He said: "I wanted to do something that would help build my strength, and the Walk 100 Miles challenge was perfect. It gave me something to focus on and work towards.
"I’m back to work now and have my own place again. I’m rebuilding my life. Thanks to the support of Breast Cancer Now, I have come through the other side of breast cancer.
"This is why I’m calling on everyone to wear it pink on Friday, October 18, to help fund Breast Cancer Now’s life-changing research and support. I hope sharing my story helps other men realise they can get breast cancer, and that it’s not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed by. We all need to self-check.”
For more information about male breast cancer, visit breastcancernow.org/tlc-men or call Breast Cancer Now’s free Helpline on 0808 800 6000.