Retired wrestler Tyler Mane, known for his role in the X-Men franchise, revealed Tuesday that he had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Subscribe to read this story ad-free
Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
Mane posted a video on Instagram explaining that he was one of the “super rare” cases of breast cancer in men. In the caption he wrote that his initial reaction to the news was embarrassment.
“One in 750 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and I’m one of them,” Mane said in the video. “Because it’s rarely talked about, it’s usually found at later stages and has worse outcomes. I want to change that.”
He went on in the caption to explain that he considered keeping his diagnosis secret, but that this is not a cancer that’s typically looked for in men. Mane even said his own doctors dismissed the possibility until his wife pushed Mane to have a lump removed.
About 1 in 100 breast cancer diagnoses are found in men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The two forms of the disease most commonly found in men are invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ.
Ductal carcinoma in situ occurs when cancer cells line the ducts in the chest but have not spread to other tissue. Invasive ductal carcinoma begins in the ducts and grows outward into surrounding breast tissue, the CDC said.
Risk factors for men listed by the CDC include a family history of breast cancer, genetic mutations, previous radiation therapy to the chest, and hormone therapy, which can be used to treat prostate cancer.
The American Breast Cancer Foundation urged men to be aware of any changes in their chest area, including nipple pain, lumps, and swelling in the breast or underarm.
“Breast cancer in men may be less common, but it’s just as important to raise awareness and provide resources for those affected,” the foundation said. “Early detection can improve outcomes, and recognizing the signs — such as lumps, nipple changes, or skin irritation — can make a life-saving difference.”
