Around 350 men each year are diagnosed with breast cancer. However, as the general perception of breast cancer is that it only affects women, those men who are diagnosed are often left feeling isolated and do not know what help is available to them. To launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Pink Fridays, Breast Cancer Care have brought together the ‘Men of Manchester’ to dispel the myths of men and breast cancer and raise awareness of its affects.
As many people believe that men cannot be affected by breast cancer, men are often not thought of at all. When in fact, for every woman that is diagnosed with this brutal disease, there is a husband or a son or a brother or possibly more who are supporting a loved one and facing their daily battle with them.
Frank Unsworth, David Beevers, Mark Wickham and Dave Millett are 4 men who have all supported and are currently supporting women they love through breast cancer. Frank’s daughter, Joanne Mills was diagnosed while pregnant, Dave Millett’s wife Kate and Mark Wickham’s wife Dawn are currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and David Beevers lost his wife to breast cancer 18 months ago.
Each of these men has been affected by breast cancer and how it can change someone’s life overnight. They have been brave enough to share their stories with us to help raise awareness about Breast Cancer Care and how the charity support people.
Frank said, ‘Joanne was 37 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed and to be honest, at the time, our world ended. She has now been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer which is very much an unknown to us. We are trying to support her, Sean her husband and Sienna, our beautiful granddaughter through it all but it’s really hard. If I could spend every penny I had to cure it I would in a heartbeat. We go through the journey with her, when she feels good, we do. When she is having a bad day, we feel it too. All we can do is be there for her and try and support her the best we can.’
David said ‘I’ve been inspired to fundraise and support Breast Cancer Care for my wife Diane. Her bravery and determination during the final weeks of her life made me realise I needed to sort my own out and keep her memory alive. I have so far lost 9 stone in weight and now take part in marathons and triathlons to support Breast Cancer Care. Diane is still my driving force and these challenges are helping me recreate a new person out of the old broken me.’
Dave Millett said ‘My wife, Kate, is currently undergoing chemotherapy. It is really difficult to see the woman you love going through the difficult days and there isn’t anything you can do to make it go away.’
Mark Wickham said ‘My wife being diagnosed with breast cancer has been incredibly difficult. I have done a lot of fundraising for Breast Cancer Care to support the charity and raise awareness of this brutal disease. I would not wish for anyone to have to go through what Dawn goes through on a daily basis and if I could take it all away from her, I would.’
Sarah Herrett, Area Fundraising Manager for Breast Cancer Care in North and Midlands, says: “We want to raise awareness of breast cancer and how it affects men so they check themselves regularly and do not feel isolated if they are diagnosed. We also want men to feel they can admit if they too need help in supporting their partner. We want to highlight our incredible Helpline service which supports people who have breast cancer and family and friends who have questions or queries. This October, we want Manchester to unite in support of Breast Cancer Care and help raise awareness for men.”
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in October. You can support it by hosting a Pink Friday event either in your office or at home in aid of Breast Cancer Care.
For further information, visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk, or contact 0114 263 6482.
To speak to a specialist nurse about breast cancer in men, you can call the Helpline in confidence on 0808 800 6000.