Breast cancer in men is a rare disease. Less than one percent of all breast cancers occur in men, according to Breast Cancer.com.
Though it's rare, it's still important for men to know the symptoms.

That's because breast cancer tends to be more advanced in men than in women, since men are not routinely screened for it.

The symptoms include a lump felt in the breast, pain, discharge, sores and enlarged lymph nodes under the arm.

A 21 News viewer from New Wilmington was a victim of it himself and wanted to raise awareness about the disease.

Tom Taylor found the nickel sized lump on his chest in May 2019.  It didn't hurt but he knew to get it checked out right way. His family doctor took quick action.

"Immediately the same day I went down to the hospital for an ultrasound. The next day I had to go have a mammogram done," said Taylor.

Those tests did not provide good news. After a biopsy, then came the breast cancer diagnosis.
Treatment began with a complete mastectomy of his right breast area, then a year straight of chemo and radiation.

Thankfully, his treatments are all done and Tom is now in complete remission. He knows it could come back though.
Cancer has plagued his family. His mother got breast cancer at age 36 and then fought it again and again.

"She proceeded on with ovarian cancer. Unfortunately she passed 5-6 years ago from leukemia," added Taylor.
Tom wants all men to take an easy step to search for lumps on their own chests.

"All it takes is a sliding of your hand across your chest in order to feel an abnormality and that is honestly what happened to me," said Taylor.

Breast cancer awareness month just isn't for women, everyone needs to be aware of what to look for and not be afraid to act quickly if needed.