real story
“I didn’t think
Men could get
breast cancer”
James, 36
From London
In 2023, James was diagnosed with breast cancer.
This is his story.
my story
When James first discovered a lump behind his nipple, breast cancer never crossed his mind.
The lump was hard and painless, but like many men, he simply didn’t associate breast cancer with men at all. For weeks, he tried to ignore it, convincing himself it was probably nothing serious.
Eventually, after encouragement from those around him, he booked an appointment with his GP.
That decision would ultimately save his life.
On February 23rd 2023, James was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. The diagnosis itself was devastating, but what followed left a lasting impact in a different way. Almost immediately, James became aware of how invisible men were within the wider conversation around breast cancer. Every leaflet, website and support resource felt written entirely with women in mind.
At the exact moment he needed clarity and reassurance most, he instead felt isolated.
the diagnosis
The weeks following diagnosis were some of the darkest of James’ life. At one stage, he was facing conversations around mortality while trying to process a disease he hadn’t even realised men could develop.
What shocked him most was how little awareness existed around breast cancer in men. Despite around 400 men being diagnosed every year in the UK, the disease is still overwhelmingly perceived as something that only affects women.
That lack of visibility has consequences. Men are often diagnosed later, symptoms are overlooked and many suffer in silence because they feel embarrassed or out of place speaking about it.
treatment
James began chemotherapy while doctors waited for genetic testing results.
Those tests later revealed he carried the BRCA2 gene mutation, changing both his treatment pathway and his understanding of the disease.
Following chemotherapy, he underwent a central excision to remove the tumour and nipple, along with an axillary lymph node clearance after cancer was found in his lymph nodes.
The experience highlighted how little information exists about hereditary breast cancer in men, despite the significant role genetics can play in diagnosis and treatment.
afterwards
The experience changed James’s perspective entirely.
What stayed with him most was how close he came to ignoring the lump completely - simply because he didn’t realise breast cancer could affect men. He began thinking about how many others might be doing the same thing right now.
The more he reflected on his experience, the more obvious the wider problem became: low awareness, outdated perceptions and a serious lack of visibility around male breast cancer.
That realisation eventually led to the creation of moobs.
why moobs exists
James created moobs to help challenge the way breast cancer is talked about publicly and ensure men feel included in the conversation around awareness, diagnosis and support.
The aim isn’t to separate breast cancer into “male” and “female” versions of the disease, because breast cancer is breast cancer. The aim is visibility.
By encouraging more open conversations, improving awareness of symptoms and sharing real experiences, moobs hopes to help more men recognise the signs earlier and feel less alone if diagnosed.
Because whilst breast cancer in men is rare, it absolutely exists and awareness saves lives.
no man should face this alone
Whether you need support, have questions
or want to share your story, we’re here!