National Breast Cancer Foundation

“When I found that lump, I called my doctor. The diagnosis was Stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common type of breast cancer. Except I’m a man. And that made it rare.” - Richard

This Men’s Health Month, we’re sharing an important message from our friend, marathon enthusiast, and male breast cancer survivor Richard. In 2024, after dismissing initial symptoms (a flattened ni**le and a cyst), Richard found a lump and called his doctor. He received his official diagnosis and a treatment plan: chemotherapy followed by surgery and radiation. Still, he wanted to continue exploring his options and found that he was eligible to participate in a clinical trial at his treatment center. He recalls:

“I became participant number nine [in the clinical trial], and that decision gave me clarity, direction, and purpose. I wasn’t just benefiting from the research. I became the research. It turned my breast cancer nightmare into an adventure, and it gave me something else, too. It gave me the chance to live a normal life during treatment. I kept running, even completing four marathons during treatment.

Breast cancer in men is rare. Roughly 1% of all breast cancer cases. Most men don’t even know they can get it and wait too long to be checked. Awareness is needed to save these men’s lives, like it’s saving mine.”

As the school year comes to an end, we're giving a shoutout to all the students who raised funds for NBCF through our Pink Points Platform, like our friend and new high school graduate Bianca! 💗

Bianca knew she wanted to support a cause close to her heart (both her grandmother and great-grandmother were breast cancer survivors). After learning about NBCF, she quickly got involved by hosting a fundraising event and donating proceeds from her baked goods business to NBCF. She shares this advice for other students who want to get involved:

"Don't be afraid to reach out to NBCF; they will help you with any questions you have. There are so many ways to go about making a fundraiser. I think it is a great way to involve younger generations in a disease that affects so many."

Learn more about our Pink Points Platform: nbcf.org/pinkpoints

This , we're sharing a story from our friend and breast cancer survivor, Shelly. 💗 In 2024, Shelly performed a breast self-exam in the shower and felt a lump. After some appointments and tests, including a mammogram and ultrasound, she received her diagnosis: Stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma with lymph node involvement.

Shelly had the support of her husband, parents who flew in from the Philippines, church family, and her NBCF-funded patient navigator, Allie.

Allie supported Shelly not just medically but also emotionally and practically, providing her with a comprehensive medical binder to help her organize appointments, medications, records, and notes. She also helped prepare Shelly for chemotherapy, telling her what to expect and ensuring she had the tools she needed to feel ready.

Once treatment began, Allie's support went far beyond paperwork as she helped Shelly access wigs and head coverings, introduced her to their resource center's lending library, which includes cookbooks tailored for cancer treatment nutrition, and checked in with her regularly. Shelly recalls:

"I am so grateful that I have family here and in the Philippines, friends, church family, medical group, and Allie, who are praying, encouraging, and supporting me all the way until now.

I knew that I needed to face the reality that I have cancer. I had to have faith that I would get better. My husband and I never stopped praying for God to lead us to all the medical people who would help us get through this.

In this journey, I feel like I am not alone. Miracles happen every day. God uses all these people in my life as instruments to know that life is beautiful despite the circumstances."

Read more of Shelly's story: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/blog/in-good-hands-how-patient-navigation-helped-shelly-face-breast-cancer/