Breast cancer is year-round and can affect so many of those around us, including our beloved brothers, fathers, sons and husbands. Since breast cancer is prevalent in women and men don’t usually refer to their chests as breasts, it’s rare to hear about the 2% of men’s breast cancer diagnoses. Scientifically speaking everyone (male and female) has breast tissue, and this is an important conversation. B4BC is honored to share this survivor’s story. Jeff Juneau is an athlete, a coach, an incredibly humble human, and shares numerous outdoor passions with us here at B4BC. He is one of over 2,000 men a year who are diagnosed in the U.S. with breast cancer. Jeff was kind to share his experience with us and open the dialogue to the stigmas and hurdles with a male breast cancer diagnosis. Thank you for your openness and empowerment Jeff, you are an amazing inspiration to all!

B4BC: When and how did you discover a breast ‘lump’?

Jeff: I never found a lump. I was recovering from a severe rotator cuff reconstruction surgery (3 complete ruptures and a detached bicep), and noticed a dark brown discharge from my nipple after getting out of my sling and spinning on my stationery bike. Checked it with a mammogram that found some calcification, which led to them finding the breast cancer.

B4BC: Tell us the medical journey you have gone through so far.

Jeff: It’s been crazy. I was recovering from the biggest injury in my athletic career, and just started doing light cardio as part of my shoulder rehab. After having a brown discharge from my right nipple, I had a mammogram done. We found some minor calcification but no indication of Cancer. I had a biopsy that found Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia, and we scheduled a Lumpectomy. The lumpectomy found Stage 0 DCIS, and we scheduled a Mastectomy. In between the lumpectomy and mastectomy, we found a Stage 1 Leydig Cell tumor in my right testicle and had it removed two days later. So, in a matter of 5 weeks, I had a lumpectomy, Orchiectomy, and Mastectomy. This spring, I had another small discharge from my left nipple, and I had a breast MRI that found no indication of cancer. We elected for a Mastectomy anyways and it found a small DCIS just behind my nipple that didn’t show up on imaging. The good news is that nothing has metastasized, and all my blood work is good. Before my rotator cuff surgery at 48, I had managed to avoid surgery. In the last two years, I have racked up 5 major surgeries under anesthesia.

B4BC: Gene or hormone related?

Jeff: Hormone (Estrogen sensitive).

B4BC: Are you taking hormone suppressors?

Jeff: No.

B4BC: Tell us what you have learned about breast cancer in men.

Jeff: That it is more common than I thought. Hell, I found out that even actor Richard Roundtree had breast cancer in 1993. He was best known for playing Shaft in the 1970’s and was the image of masculinity at the time. He survived after a double mastectomy and chemotherapy. Today, there are almost 3000 cases of male breast cancer diagnosed in the US each year, but my discussions with doctors and health care providers have led me to believe that it is much more common than we know. Men typically get DCIS, a slow growing and less invasive type of breast cancer. There are most likely a lot of men that have it and are never diagnosed. It is not really something that is looked for at the time of death from other causes.

B4BC: What do you feel is your ‘why’?

Jeff: We aren’t sure, but I believe that the “why” for my breast cancer was a case of testicular cancer. I had a very rare Leydig Cell tumor in my right testicle, and only found it because of the breast cancer diagnosis. I did a TON of research into causes for male breast cancer, and it was the only one that made sense. I didn’t have any genetic markers or family history for breast cancer, so the most likely causes were steroid use, high soy intake, or testicular tumor/ cancer. I never took steroids and had always avoided soy, so I had my doctors check for testicular tumors. We found a 2.5cm mass a week after my first breast lumpectomy, and I was in surgery two days later.

B4BC: What do you feel has been the biggest hurdle or challenge being a man managing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment?

Jeff: The hardest part of my cancer journey was coming to terms with the idea of leaving my wife behind alone if I didn’t survive. It completely gutted me, and still hits hard when I think about it. Next to that, everything else was easy. I cannot honestly say that I have had any major hurdles or challenges managing my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. My health team has been amazing beyond belief. From my primary care doctor who ordered my first tests, to my breast surgeon Dr. O’Brien, my oncologist Dr. Spiegelmen, and the amazing nurses and office staff at Lahey Medical, everyone has been so incredibly supportive on my journey. What has been the most difficult is coming to realize how hard and painful the journey is for most men and women who fight breast cancer. My goal for the future is twofold- to raise awareness for early detection and raise funds to help those with less support survive their battle.

B4BC: Are there any ‘integrated’ health treatments you may have included with conventional treatments?

Jeff: I have been intermittent fasting for the last 12 months or so. I average 16 hour fasts daily, with a few longer ones thrown in when I feel good. In the first 6 or so months after my surgery, I supplemented a lot with vitamins to help “restock” my depleted stores. I also went back to my old habit of cold rinses in the shower from my days as a mountain bike racer.

B4BC: Tell us your thoughts on moving forward for yourself, and if you have been able to integrate the silver linings from cancer into your life at this point.

Jeff: I was already aware of how fortunate and privileged I am in my life, but my cancer diagnosis and fight forced me to become more patient and kinder to others. I came to realize that we are never truly aware of the struggles and pain others are going through, and the more gracious we can try to be the more we help those around us. It humbled me in a way that I never anticipated. I was a high-level coach and athlete that was very healthy. I exercised a ton, ate healthy, stopped drinking, and had even cut out dairy a few years prior to my diagnosis. It was easy to ascribe blame or reasons for people that suffered from health issues- I learned that being healthy didn’t prevent my cancer. It is important for me to share that being strong and healthy going into my fight was a huge advantage. Also, being an athlete gave me a solution-oriented mindset. It had also taught me to educate myself as much as possible and to advocate for myself at every opportunity. When I was going through my surgeries and recovery, I was able to work from home and run numerous coach education and training clinics remotely. I made a sign next to my monitor to remind me of what was important, and still think about it every day- “Be Grateful, Be Patient, and Be Kind”. I am still trying to live up to those ideals every day.
Thank you for everything B4BC does to help and thank you for the opportunity to share my story.