DERYCK Williams has gone through an experience that most men will never dream of having. At only 38 years old, Deryck was diagnosed with breast cancer.
In 2012, Deryck was in the shower when he noticed a lump behind his left nipple. After visiting a doctor, he was assured it was very unlikely to be cancer. To be safe they decided to do an ultrasound and Deryck says it was then that they went quiet and stopped reassuring him.
He was told he had breast cancer.
“I had such mixed feelings about the news. My wife had a lump at the same time and her results came back clear, so the initial reaction was so glad that it was not my wife. After that I just wanted to know as much as I could, so I was constantly searching the internet and reading books,” said Deryck.
“Talking about it was a must for me; it had such a big impact on my life so there was no way I could not talk about it,” Deryck.
Deryck has been announced as the fifth and final MAN MONTH Ambassador. After his experience, Deryck is spreading the message that men can get breast cancer. He also wants to remind men of the responsibility they have in making sure that not only are the women in their lives are breast aware, but they are for themselves too.
Deryck said the amount of support he received from friends and family was amazing. But there was someone else to help him along his journey. McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Sue, helped him through his entire journey, from start to finish.
“There are so many doctors and so many stages of treatment for breast cancer, and the McGrath Breast Care Nurse is the common thread. Everybody is happy to talk and answer your questions, but really they concentrate only on their own area of expertise. But Sue was there, making sure I was coping with what was going on now, and ensuring I was ready for what was coming next. I felt like it was me and her in it for the long haul.
The MAN MONTH campaign is a great way to get the fellas on board with an issue that often men don’t like to talk about. It’s important to get the message out there that men can get breast cancer too. Not only that, but they also need to understand they play a role in ensuring the women in their lives are being breast aware,” Deryck said.
Talking about his diagnosis and treatment was a must.
“There was no way I could not talk about it. It was sort of fun seeing how everybody reacted when I would tell them that I had breast cancer. I must admit it was really funny to note how people changed, especially when they greeted you. At times I had to stop myself laughing.
I was amazed how common breast cancer is, for women the numbers are truly scary, but for blokes the figures are still up there. No matter who you are, if you find it early the treatments are very successful, but things change the longer you leave it.”
Join him and hundreds of men this MAN MONTH by signing the MANifesto today: http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/manmonth
