Paul’s story: An experience with male breast cancer 

One night in 2023, Paul rolled over in bed and felt a lump under his left armpit. Feeling that something wasn’t right, he saw his doctor the next day and was later diagnosed with breast cancer.   

A former professional basketballer in the States and in Australia, Paul says at the time he was in excellent shape, living a full life, and his youngest son was just six months old. Following his diagnosis, he had immediate surgery to remove the tumour and some of his lymph nodes to which the cancer had spread, followed by six months of chemotherapy and a month of radiation.  

He found exercise to be very helpful in coping emotionally with the disease. Paul says at first, he was embarrassed to have a disease that is commonly linked to women, “As for so many, the news of a cancer diagnosis for me was loaded with overwhelming doses of shock and fear. The thought that my wife might be left to raise our little boy without me was terrifying. Being male breast cancer, I also felt a touch of shame and embarrassment.” About one per cent of breast cancers are in men.

Now Paul speaks openly about his experience and was an ambassador at BCNA’s Pink Lady Match at the MCG in August 2025. He said, “Being involved with the Pink Lady Match as an ambassador was an incredibly emotional and gratifying experience. Gaining insight into the amount and quality of work done by BCNA staff to organise and maximise this event made the whole experience more rewarding.  

“I felt and saw the impact on such a large community of Australians with an appreciation of BCNA’s sense of purpose.” 

Paul says he’s grateful for all the medical treatment he received and the support of loved ones throughout his experience, “I consider myself incredibly lucky—my health is good, and my prognosis is strong. I am back surfing, working, being a father, husband, son, brother and friend.” 

Visit our website for more resources and information about breast cancer in men. BCNA’s My Journey is also a very useful tailored online resource with a dedicated section for men with a breast cancer diagnosis.