Actor and former professional wrestler Tyler Mane, best known for playing Sabretooth in the 2000 blockbuster X-Men, has revealed that he has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. The 59-year-old shared the news on Facebook to raise awareness about a condition that is rarely discussed.
Raising Awareness
Mane wrote: 'Yep. I have breast cancer. And yep, it's super rare. Only 1% of breast cancers are men.' He admitted his first instinct was to keep the diagnosis secret due to embarrassment, but he learned that men are often diagnosed at advanced stages because the disease is not talked about or looked for. He credited his wife for pushing him to get a lump removed, which led to early detection.
He added: 'So let's start talking about it! 1 in 755 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and if caught early, it's VERY treatable.'
Statistics and Risk Factors
The American Cancer Society estimates that 2,670 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the US this year, with 530 deaths. While the overall risk is low, it increases with age, with the average diagnosis age between 60 and 70. Risk factors include excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and liver disease.
Symptoms and Treatment
The CDC lists symptoms such as a lump or swelling in the breast, redness or flaky skin, irritation or dimpling, nipple discharge, and pain in the nipple area. The two main forms in men are invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy.
Mane, who also wrestled in WCW, expressed determination to overcome the disease, saying, 'I want to kick this thing in the ass.' He urged followers to share his message, ending with, 'Fuck cancer.'
