In August 2016, Stephen Sala found a small lump on the right side of his chest. His doctor thought it was a cyst, but scheduled an ultrasound to be sure. His ultrasound results were concerning, so he had a mammogram the same day, followed a needle biopsy about a week later. The results showed breast cancer. He was 41. He decided to have a bilateral mastectomy to reduce his risk of contralateral disease; pathology results showed that he had cancer in his left chest as well. As he went through diagnosis and treatment, Steve experienced a number of awkward situations. Almost all mammography offices are in women’s health care centers, with no consideration for men. Forms asked when he had his last period, how many children he had given birth to, and if he was in menopause.
Listen to the podcast to hear Stephen talk about:

how he came to terms with a breast cancer diagnosis

his ideas on how the process can be made less clumsy for men

how he talked to his children about his diagnosis

how he found support

advice he would offer other men