Male Breast Cancer survivor speaks out

The convention center.

October is breast cancer awareness month.

While the focus is on women...men also can get breast cancer.

News 10 bureau chief gary brian tells us how one wabash valley man hopes to elmiminate the stigma associated with male breast cancer.

[take pkg outcue: soc duration:1:58] gar} "every year thousands of men are diagnosed with breast cancer.

In 2017 one of those diagnosed was matt bowman."

During the month of october you'll see pink ribbons and support for women with breast cancer.

But for many not much thought is given to men getting the disease.

That could be said for matt bowman...until he was diagnosed in 2017.

"shocked was the feeling more than anything.

Because it's something that you don't really think guys can have or be diagnosed with.

But the reality is breast tissue is breast tissue."

Bowman was alerted when he discovered he had an inverted nipple.

After evaluations doctors diagnosed him with breast cancer.

"when pathology finally came back i had four positive lymph nodes and that actually made me stage 3a.

So in a matter of about a week and a half i went from stage one to stage three."

Bowman received chemotherapy and masectomies on both breasts.

All the while facing a health system that seemed behind on male breast cancer.

"when you walk in 'oh are you here for your wife, your girlfriend, your mother.'

There are places that still have signs on their walls 'no men past this point.'" he says this can make it embarassing for men to get the help they need.

According to the mens breast cancer coalation over 500 men will die of breast cancer in 2020.

Today bowman's prognosis is good.

But he hopes awareness will help to get medical providers and men up to speed on male breast cancer.

"if you have breast tissue still to this day you are at risk for developing breast cancer."

Gar} "we've put some resources for male breast cancer on our website at wthitv.com just click on this story.

Working from home in vincennes, gary brian news 10."

One local town is gettiing national recognition.

It's because recognition.

National gettiing town is one local news 10."

News 10."

Gary brian news 10."

One local town is one