Episode 45: In conversation with Harry and Pieter: Raising awareness for men with breast cancer

Upfront About Breast Cancer

We recommend that listeners exercise self-care when listening to this podcast, as some may find the content upsetting.

Let’s be Upfront about men who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer is often thought as a disease that only affects women, however, in Australia in 2022 it is predicted that 212 men will be diagnosed. As this diagnosis is less common, men who are diagnosed with breast cancer often feel a range of emotions, including feeling isolated and alone and being unsure who they can speak to or what to do next.

Joining us for this In Conversation episode are Harry and Pieter.

Harry was diagnosed with early breast cancer in 2005 and had chemotherapy, after which he was cancer-free. In 2018, at a routine appointment with his GP, he had a series of blood tests, and his cancer was found to have returned. Harry was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at that time.

Pieter was diagnosed with triple-positive grade 3 breast cancer, which had spread to a sentinel lymph node, in 2021. He underwent a mastectomy and axillary node clearance and then started four rounds of chemotherapy. Pieter lost his wife to breast cancer in 2017.

During this candid conversation between Harry and Pieter we’ll hear their stories, their initial reaction to their diagnosis, the biggest challenges they face, who they went to for support and why they want to help spread awareness of the disease for other men.

This podcast was recorded in May 2022.

RESOURCES:

- Sign up to My Journey and access a range of resources for men diagnosed with breast cancer

- Visit our Online Network to connect with other men going through a similar experience

Upfront About Breast Cancer is a production of Breast Cancer Network Australia. Our theme music is by the late Tara Simmons.

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Want to get in touch? Visit our website at bcna.org.au, email us at [e-mail], or call our Helpline on 1800 500 258