12/10/2026
MEN GET BREAST CANCER TOO!
Right, gentlemen… this one’s for you! And for anyone who has a dad, brother, husband, son, partner, mate, or that bloke down the pub who thinks going to the doctor is somehow a sign of weakness, and that he is invincible!
We need to have a little chat about your chest every single one of you has breast tissue, it doesn’t matter if you have pecs to rival a gladiator, or a dad bod.
Which means YES, MEN CAN GET BREAST CANCER.
It’s less common than breast cancer in women, but it absolutely happens. In the UK, around 400 men are diagnosed every year. That’s around 400 families whose lives are turned upside down by a diagnosis that many people still don’t realise can affect men.
And as someone who has personally been through breast cancer, I can tell you this isn’t something to brush off, laugh away or ignore because you think it’s a women’s disease.
So, lads, here’s a quick guide on what you need to look out for
THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MALE BREAST CANCER
A lump or swelling in the chest or breast area. Often painless, so don’t assume that if it doesn’t hurt, it’s nothing.
Changes to your ni**le — including it turning inwards, changing shape or position, or looking different from usual.
Discharge from the ni**le — especially if there’s blood. No, it’s not something to quietly wipe away and hope nobody notices.
A rash, redness, dimpling or puckering of the skin around your chest or ni**le.
Sores or changes to the skin that don’t heal or look unusual.
Swelling or a lump in your armpit — because breast tissue extends towards that area, and changes there shouldn’t be ignored either.
Not every lump or change is cancer, but if you notice something unusual, get it checked by your GP. Don’t wait for it to become painful, and don’t wait until you’ve Googled yourself into believing you’ve got three weeks to live either. Save yourself the stress and get it checked out.
SO, HOW DO YOU CHECK?
You don’t need a medical degree, a special gadget or a complicated 17-step routine, just a few minutes once a month - less time than it takes to order a round, or load up that computer game you are always playing …
✅ Get familiar with how your chest normally looks and feels.
✅ Check around your ni**les, across your chest and up into your armpits.
✅ Look for anything new or different — lumps, thickening, swelling, skin changes or ni**le changes.
✅ If something doesn’t feel or look right, contact your GP.
There’s no need to panic over every little thing, but please don’t ignore changes either.
And ladies, if you’re reading this, give the men in your life a nudge. Share this post, have the conversation and remind them that looking after themselves isn’t weakness. It’s common sense.
AND HERE’S THE BIT I REALLY WANT YOU TO REMEMBER.
Breast cancer doesn’t care whether you’re male or female, whether you’re 25 or 75, or whether you think you’re too busy, too embarrassed or too tough to get checked.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 34. I know first-hand how much a diagnosis can change your life, and how important it is to know your own body and speak up when something isn’t right.
Please don’t let embarrassment stop you from getting checked. Your GP has seen it all before, and I promise you, they’d much rather examine a perfectly innocent lump than have you ignore something serious.
You only get one body! . You can buy another set of tools, another football shirt or another fishing rod… but you can’t replace your health.
So, share this with the men you love. Have the slightly awkward conversation. Remind them to check their chests.
Because real men DO check. Real men DO speak up. And real men DO go to the doctor when something isn’t right.
TAG A MAN WHO NEEDS THIS REMINDER! And remember, no sulking because someone has told you to look after yourself. We love you, but sometimes you really do need telling!
Photos of Actors Richard Rowntree, Tyler Mane and York resident William all of whom have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
