‘In my mind, breast cancer happened only to women’

‘ Ihad been aware that there was a lump in my left breast for a period of six months but I did not give it much thought. In my mind, breast cancer happened to women only. Eventually, I decided to go for a check-up. At the hospital, I saw a few men who had also come in for a check-up and I realised that men too can get it too.

After the [cancer] was diagnosed in July 2018, I underwent a mastectomy. A PET scan was done prior to the surgery to check if the cancer had spread. The tests came back negative.

It was localised to the left breast and the lymph node only. Two months on, the scarring healed and the chemotherapy began. I had eight chemo sessions, 15 radiation doses and 52 weeks of hormone treatment. By

January 2020, I will also have taken

18 injections of Herceptin.

Throughout this experience, my family was of great support, right down to adjusting to my diet and taste sensations that were affected due to chemotherapy. My family was also counselled by the doctors.

If you start thinking too much about your sickness, it will affect you more. Instead, learn to face it. It will help you recover faster. I would drive my car, do household chores like cleaning, washing clothes. In the initial stage of the chemo, I did stay home for a week but that was to avoid catching any infection.

I did not cover my hair, and when people asked me about it, I told them I was changing my look.

About a family history of cancer, my maternal grandmother had breast cancer, my aunt too and one of my maternal uncles also had cancer.

My advice to men is to stay aware and not ignore any signs. We have great facilities in the UAE. There is nothing to worry about.”