On May 14, 2021, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast. I was immediately referred to my surgeon Dr. David Bottoni, who performed a complete mastectomy three weeks later.

Mine was the best possible outcome in a bad situation. There were no metastases, so the surgery cured me of stage one breast cancer. A month later, after consulting with my oncologist Dr. Veera Panuganty, I began four rounds of preventative chemotherapy as an extra safeguard.

My chemotherapy, in the summer of 2021, and during the Covid 19 outbreak, was gruelling. Living alone with little personal contact except close family, my visiting nurse, and the occasional medical appointment, proved very difficult for me on physical, social, and emotional levels. What was most challenging was the realization that, unlike for women, there were no male breast cancer care networks or peer survivor groups for me to access or make connections with.

I had many questions that my medical team could not answer for me, and my online searches were disappointing. In the breast cancer world at the time, there was simply no research, limited information, and an absence of any support available for Canadian men with this disease. What was more shocking was the fact that there was no forum for men to speak out, share their stories, or bring attention to this rare cancer. Survivors, it seemed, were basically alone to suffer in silence!

So, in October 2021, after consulting with Dr. David Bottoni, I created “THE BOTTONI PROJECT For Male Breast Cancer Awareness in Canada”. David later joined me as the project namesake and cofounder. Together with our team, we have worked tirelessly to create an identity for male breast cancer and to bring education, awareness, support, and hope for men throughout our country who have been diagnosed with this disease.

I am Dr. David Bottoni and in May 2021 I had the opportunity to meet Brian Lynch, a patient who had been referred to me with a breast lump. He had already been diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma and we had discussion about his treatment options, prognosis, and the long term follow up. Perhaps the most salient focus of the encounter was, despite the obvious, “YES, MEN CAN GET BREAST CANCER TOO.

It is not something we think about with men. It was not something Brian was thinking about when he was first diagnosed with it. It is rare, about 1 % of all cancers that will be diagnosed in men each year. And if you are that 1 person, it matters. It matters to you and it matters to your family.

Once Brian successfully navigated his treatment, he was able to reflect on the general lack of awareness about this rare condition. Over subsequent visits his interest in this venture evolved into a passion – a passion for educating both patients and clinicians, and for putting male breast cancer on the radar.

Brian approached me with the opportunity to participate in this project with him and I immediately reflected on my previous encounters with male breast cancer patients. I was both humbled and honoured when he told me its name, THE BOTTONI PROJECT.

The impetus for this project is first and foremost to raise awareness that breast cancer is a disease for men as well. We can do things about it. We can cure people if we are thinking about it.

Breast cancer in men is rare. Breast cancer in men is real. Breast cancer in men is treatable. It must be recognized first. That is what the focus of this initiative is about.