A testimony of strength and awareness
In a routine trip to the dermatologist, what was initially thought to be a minor cyst under the left nipple turned out to be something much more severe for Gene, an Air Force and Air National Guard Veteran. The dermatologist took a core sample upon noticing the skin color change, which led to an unexpected diagnosis: Stage 4 breast cancer.
The news came as a shock.
“I got a phone call telling me my simple little cyst was really breast cancer. I felt numb, but then my wife was having back surgery at that moment, and I was in the waiting room fighting off the urge to swear out loud.”
In his case there was a family history: his sister had died at age 77 from metastatic breast cancer, which underscored the seriousness of his diagnosis.
A grueling treatment journey
Treatment commenced promptly, beginning with medication and hormone pills. Eventually, a mastectomy was performed on his left breast, followed by 20 rigorous sessions of radiation therapy. As if these treatments alone were not enough, the journey on hormone treatments extended to an additional five years.
Yet, cancer’s grip extends beyond the physical body. It takes a toll on mental health, an aspect the Veteran keenly observed. In addition to receiving treatments through VA’s Community Care system, he received tremendous mental health support from VA.
“I used VA Crisis Line, who listened and were able to connect me with some very exceptional people who gave me some tools that helped me get through the worst moments,” he said. “I am still in contact with a wonderful VA therapist.”
Active duty and the battle within
His service record shows a dedicated and longstanding military career, spanning nearly 25 years of service. Enlisting in 1973, he served active duty in the Air Force for about a year before joining the Air National Guard.
However, grappling with the side effects of cancer treatment brought about new challenges. Nausea, diarrhea, burning mouth syndrome, mouth sores, loss of appetite and potassium deficiency were compounded by severe anxiety and depression. These mental health struggles became his toughest adversaries. In moments of despair, VA’s Crisis Line proved to be a critical support, providing essential mental health care even when answers were scarce. Today, he continues working with a VA therapist to manage his mental health.
Spreading awareness: A call to action
Breast cancer is often thought of as a disease that primarily affects women, but men are not immune to this devastating illness. To reach out to his fellow men, he shared his personal story on Facebook.
“Well gentlemen, I need to tell you something: Men get breast cancer too! What I thought was just a cyst under my left nipple turned out to be Stage 4 cancer. While I have been calling it chest cancer because that sounds more masculine, it’s really breast cancer and usually treated the same as for women, except in my case, as they feel I may not survive chemotherapy due to other medical problems. So, I just felt the need to put this out to you guys not to put off having things checked out. By the way, coffee is no help at all.”
Many responded to the post, lauding his courage for speaking out—a sentiment he found puzzling but true to his belief that men should be aware of breast cancer’s reach. According to his oncologist, 1 in every 150 breast cancer patients is male, a statistic that highlights the importance of timely check-ups and awareness.
His journey through male breast cancer is not just a testament to his strength but a vital message to all men: Breast cancer knows no gender. His courage to step forward and share his battle raises awareness and could potentially save lives. Let this Veteran’s story serve as a reminder of the importance of regular checkups and the support that VA can provide—not only for physical ailments but also for mental health challenges.
Veterans can reach out to their care teams for more information about cancer screenings or learn more at cancer.va.gov.
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Wow….I did not know. but have a spot. Thank you for sharing. I beat cancer too, thanks to my beloved VA care. Love my Dr’s, Nurses, check in folks, security, maintenance, custodians, eye, p/t staff, Urology….have helped me. We are so Blessed for another day….Love MY VA… Thank you Corvette Bob :)
Very good to know. Thank you for sharing this.
As a fellow USAF Veteran, reading Gene’s story hit home. I was diagnosed in August 2025 after a similar ‘accidental’ discovery. I was just scratching my breast one night and found a “small” cyst like mass. It really underscores his point: awareness is everything.
I’m currently in the ‘grinder’ phase—with 11 chemo sessions down and 5 to go, followed by 33 rounds of planned radiation. Gene is 100% right about the fatigue and the mental health battle being just as grueling as the physical one. The lead-suit exhaustion is real, but seeing another Airman who is walking a similar path provides more encouragement to finish these last 5 sessions. Cancer does not choose genders.
Thank you, Gene, for being vocal. To my fellow Vets: don’t ignore the small things. Check yourself. It saved my life, and it can save yours too.
We need more awareness out there that men do get breast cancer.
When exactly did this take place?
It started in June 2025.
I had a breast x ray years ago and it was negative should I get checked out again ???
Please see your PCP, so they can review your records, do an updated exam and determine next steps.
So I have a question and statement. The VA screened me for the cancer gene. Colon cancer runs in my family on my mother side. This is why the VA screened me for the cancer gene. What they found was I had a cancer gene associated with breast cancer. My question is this, did the VA recommend how often man and women should be tested for cancer? And if so under what circumstances did they recommend you should be screened/tested? When a lump is found or just on a regular basis like they do with colon cancer?
This is an important question, and likely involves further genetic review and counseling. Please visit your PCP, to review your records, do an updated exam and determine next steps. They may need to put in a Comprehensive Genetic Service consult.