Robert’s Story 

I am a 49 year old male that has just survived Stage 3 breast cancer. I had no idea that men could get breast cancer. My story goes something like this. I had this lump in my left breast behind my nipple for a couple of years, I am the type of guy that will go to the doctor 3‐5 days after and issue if symptoms still exist. My father died of colon cancer in 1986 because he was too stubborn to go to the doctor, I promised my family, loved ones and myself I would not let that happen. Anyway I get these cysts on my back, I have had them surgically removed and tested and they are just fatty tissue, so I thought that the lump in my chest was one of those what else would it be “guys don’t get breast cancer” I thought. So I go to my doctor one day I had a sore throat, I gave him my list I had acid reflux, sore throat, etc. I was just about to leave and I said, Oh Ya I have this lump, He said show me, I did and the doc started yelling (I have known him a while) I said wait, you know I am prone to cysts, he said that is not one they do not happen there, how am I supposed to know that, mammogram right now. So I went and got a mammogram, sonogram and then a needle biopsy. I was diagnosed with Infiltrating Duct cancer, I had a radical mastectomy in November, 25 lymph nodes removed 5 of them positive, the mass was 2.5 centimeters, Stage 3. 

I went through Chemo therapy, I did 4 treatments of AC Adriamycin®) and cyclophosphamide (sigh clo fos fa mide) and 4 treatments of Taxol one every other week. I then did 36 treatmentsof radiation, everyday Monday through Friday. I have been blessed, the treatments did not affect me like others, I did not miss any work, no nausea, or other side affects just total hair loss. It was funny while I was bald, I would see clients and friends and they would say Oh you cut your hair, I would reply, “no I am going through cancer treatment” , their face would drop and say ” I am sorry what kind, if you do not mind me asking” I would say “no I do not, it is breast cancer” their face would start to smile, I could see it in their eyes their mind is saying, “is he fooling around guy’s do not get breast cancer”. The Chemo was the part that I feared the most seeing my father go through Chemo in 1986 he was very ill. I have since finished all of my treatments my hair is back and there is no trace of breast cancer at this time, YEEEE HAAAAA. 

Since all of this as you can imagine many things go through your head when they say “you have cancer”. I have made it my mission to raise awareness, if I can help one gentleman find it sooner. Male breast cancer only accounts for 1% of all breast cancer, but that amounts to just over 2000 a year, the mortality rate is much higher than women 25% of men diagnosed with breast cancer do not make it. I have been on local channel 13 (CBS affiliate) I have also been in local papers. I have setup a nonprofit and a ribbon. I have contacted Susan G Komen, American cancer society and The Nick foundation. I currently have talks scheduled and I help others that are diagnosed, and help then through the process. My Mission is twofold one is to get the public to know that Men can get breast cancer, the other is for doctors to let their patients know that they need to check if they have a history in their family. My mother is a 25 year survivor, she also had a mastectomy. I am currently going through genetic testing but at this time everything points to genetics, I am from Ashkenazi Jew decent. I am happy to share my story on your site, I believe that your audience will help greatly in raising awareness the public is aware of their health now more than ever.

Robert Kaitz

Update:  Robert was just diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.  He is BRCA2 positive which makes him more prone to Prostate cancer.