It’s International Men’s Day and we are honoured to share a beautiful blog, written for us by Phil- a survivor of male breast cancer, working to raise awareness of the disease.

  International Men’s Day: Reflections from a Male Breast Cancer Survivor

Phil Alderson

Today, on International Men’s Day, I’m reflecting on what it means to be a man who’s  chosen a unique path—one where I intentionally placed myself in a position of isolation, a minority by choice. As a male breast cancer survivor, I’ve walked a road many men don’t, facing a diagnosis that most assume could never happen to them. But it does happen, and when it does, it can feel isolating and filled with stigma.

When I was first diagnosed, I felt adrift in a sea of pink ribbons, support groups, and a community that didn’t quite reflect my experience. Breast cancer, after all, is largely perceived as a “woman’s disease,” and as a man navigating this space, I often felt invisible, out of place, and sometimes even unwelcome. It was a unique brand of isolation—one that I chose to lean into, and over time, I’ve come to understand why. Isolation offered me a sense of control; it allowed me to process what was happening on my terms. But it also meant stepping away from traditional support systems, putting myself in a position to face not only the physical toll of a cancer diagnosis but also the weight of loneliness, silence, and sometimes judgment.

One of the greatest challenges in facing breast cancer as a man is battling stigma. Society teaches men to be tough, silent, to push through pain and not let anyone see their struggles. A breast cancer diagnosis challenges all of that, putting us in a space where vulnerability isn’t just necessary—it’s survival. And yet, the stigma around male breast cancer can make opening up feel impossible, as if we are somehow lessened by admitting that we’re not invincible or even less ‘manly’. That struggle to reconcile vulnerability with masculinity is something I, like many men, grapple with every day.

The mental health toll of a cancer diagnosis and the threat of recurrence—and doing so as a minority in this space—is a constant, silent companion. The physical scars of surgery and treatment are small but visible reminders of what we endure, but the emotional scars run deeper, invisible to the outside world. Depression, anxiety, grief, even anger—all these feelings are a normal part of the journey, yet as men, we often feel pressure to keep them bottled up. I’ve had to work hard to unlearn that impulse, to remind myself that acknowledging these feelings is a strength, not a weakness.

I’ve also had to confront the reality of being a “minority by choice,” as a man in a predominantly female space. It’s isolating, but there’s also a strange empowerment in it. I chose to stay in that space and speak up, and I’ve found purpose in using my voice to challenge the assumptions around breast cancer and to advocate for men who might one day walk this same path.

Isolation can be a heavy burden, but it’s also a reminder of the work that still needs to be done. Male breast cancer is rare, but it’s real. And for the men who face it, the silence and stigma can be just as painful as the disease itself. That’s why I’m sharing my story today. To break the silence, to show others that they’re not alone, and to remind us all that there’s strength in vulnerability.

This International Men’s Day, let’s broaden our understanding of what it means to be a man. Let’s recognise that masculinity doesn’t have to mean silence and isolation. Sometimes, the most courageous thing a man can do is to reach out, to ask for help, to share his story— even if it means feeling a bit vulnerable. By doing so, we can break down the walls that hold us back, bringing a little light to those who might still feel alone in their struggles.

To my fellow men: let’s lift each other up, break the stigma, and build a world where we’re all free to speak our truth. You’re not alone in this journey. And neither am I.

Phil Alderson is the Author of Someone’s Survival Guide, a community book available on Amazon worldwide.
He volunteers for Breast Cancer Now, Macmillan, Future Dreams Charities and The Samaritans.
Follow his unusual adventures on Instagram @philaldo