Rod’s Journey: A Dual Battle Against Breast and Prostate Cancer

Survivor and Patient Advocate for Men

I am a Sydney-born writer, internet publisher, and breast cancer patient activist. Upon diagnosis, in March 2014, with Stage 3B IBC, I was treated with FEC x 3, Taxol x 3, a mastectomy and axillary clearance, with 2/23 nodes positive, had 33 doses of radiation, and am now on tamoxifen. I soon realized that I needed to get up to speed on treatments to ensure that I was receiving best-practice protocols.

Unexpected Challenges: Navigating Stage 3B Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)

Two years later I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had a prostatectomy. Currently I’m NED for both cancers.

Empowering Advocacy: Raising Awareness for Male Breast Cancer

I am a regular poster on Twitter @malefitness and contribute to various closed breast and prostate cancer Facebook pages. I also write articles and create videos. These can be found on the Media page of my website, MaleBC.org, which includes links to the latest research, and to a Manifesto that is aimed at securing some basic equivalence for men diagnosed with and treated for this disease. I’m also the survivor story editor for the Male Breast Cancer Coalition.

Navigating Dual Diagnosis: Confronting Prostate Cancer

As well, I speak about male breast cancer at local functions, volunteer as a telephone counsellor at a local infusion centre, and appear in a variety of media educating and informing the public.

A Message from Learn Look Locate

At Learn Look Locate, we are inspired by Rod’s unwavering commitment to raising awareness for male breast cancer and supporting others facing both breast and prostate cancer. His journey as a survivor and patient advocate reminds us of the importance of education, empowerment, and community for all those impacted by these diseases. We are proud to share his story and join him in his mission.