Richard was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and Stuart was diagnosed in 2005 and now lives with secondary breast cancer.
They are both involved with the Men’s VMU, an online group aimed at supporting men with a breast cancer diagnosis, promoting research into breast cancer in men, and raising awareness of the signs and symptoms.
Only around 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year.
Richard and Stuart talk about how their diagnoses took them by surprise, and share their work in the Men’s VMU trying to get the message to as many people as possible.
Find out more about
the Men's VMU.
Find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support service
Someone Like Me.
If you'd like to find out more about Breast Cancer Now's support services, visit the
Breast Cancer Now website or phone our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 (UK only).
You can subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode is available to watch or listen to on the
Breast Cancer Now website.
Key Topics:
2:15 Richard's breast cancer diagnosis
5:38 Stuart's breast cancer diagnosis
7:56 Campaigning to receive Herceptin as a man
13:13 Stuart's secondary breast cancer diagnosis
15:51 Looking out for the signs and symptoms of secondary breast cancer
16:32 Living with secondary breast cancer
20:32 The Men's VMU – support for men with breast cancer
24:22 The use of tamoxifen in men
27:58 The "pinkness" and femininity of breast cancer
31:44 The erosion of male identity after a breast cancer diagnosis
36:10 How the Men's VMU encourages talking about difficult topics
37:11 Find out more about the Men's VMU
37:49 Someone Like Me service from Breast Cancer Now
39:01 The accessibility of resources and support to men with breast cancer
43:51 The importance of family support
45:39 Richard and Stuart's tips for a man just diagnosed
46:39 Getting involved with fundraising and awareness events
47:57 What it means to Richard and Stuart to live well
51:01 How to get in touch with the Men's VMU
