There are fewer than 10 famous men who have, or have had, breast cancer in our lifetimes. These men were pioneers for us who have had breast cancer and for those who lost the fight. We are all warriors fighting on the same side against this horrible disease, but we are only few siding with hundreds of thousands of wonderful women.
I want to share some of the famous men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Richard Roundtree – You know this guy. He was the original lead character John Shaft in the 1971 movie Shaft.
“I thought he was questioning my manhood,” he wrote in an essay for Essence magazine in 2009, sharing the day his doctor first told him he had breast cancer. “Women die from this, not men. How could I possibly have that?”
Rod Roddy – You may not recognize his name, but you will know his famous saying: “Come on down! He said those words for 17 years on the television game show The Price is Right, and during that time, he fought colon and breast cancer, and had a mastectomy. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2003.
Edward Brooke – This guy was the first famous man diagnosed with breast cancer. In 1966, he also was the first African-American to be elected as a U.S. Senator. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. He survived for many years, but passed in January 2015 at the age of 95 years. That is amazing,
Montel Williams – This is an interesting story. While he was serving in the U.S. Marines at the age of 19, he was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. However, he was misdiagnosed. Later he learned it was just a torn pectoral muscle.
Ernie Green – He was a former NFL star with the Cleveland Browns in the 1960s, He, and both of his sisters, were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. Unfortunately, one of them died, but he survived. He now dedicates time to educate men about the disease.
Peter Criss – Peter is a strong advocate for the male breast cancer movement. He was one of the founding members of the band KISS. He is noted for saying that “You do not need to have boobs to have breast cancer.” Every year he talks at events about male breast cancer.
George Lucas – He has never confirmed it publicly, but the rumor around Hollywood for many years is that he was treated for the disease. He is a strong supporter of breast cancer research.
These famous men who have/had breast cancer are a rare breed who join us as we continue to educate those who still do not know that men, too, can get breast cancer.
Read stories of other men (not famous, but regular Joes) at Going The Distance at protectthepecs.org.
Note: Breast Cancer News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Breast Cancer News, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to breast cancer.