IT’S BREAST TO CHECK, FELLAS!
Fleet chief makes heartfelt plea
EBBSFLEET UNITED secretary Peter Danzey is urging men of all ages to check their boobs!
The popular Fleet man is recovering following an operation after he was diagnosed with breast cancer following the discovery of a lump back in February.
It’s a disease nearly always associated with women, but Danzey is keen to raise awareness that it can affect men too.
Grade 1 Cancer cells were found in his left breast and last month he had a mastectomy and the lymph nodes removed.
Although still not given the all clear, Danzey is a good example of early detection and says men mustn’t be afraid to get themselves checked out if they notice anything unusual.
“Obviously 99.99 per cent of people associate breast cancer with women but, although a lot rarer, it’s not something men can’t get,” Danzey told The NLP. “Men aren’t very good at dealing with things like this and going to the doctor to get checked. It wasn’t that I was feeling around, I was just in the shower when I felt a lump that didn’t feel quite right. My first reaction was I’d knocked myself or it was a cist, but that wasn’t it.
“There was a programme on the other week with John Hartson about testicular cancer, and prostate cancer gets a lot of publicity too, but there’s not much about men checking for breast cancer. So, guys, get feeling your ‘boobs’!”
Support
Danzey kept his diagnosis quiet while Ebbsfleet competed in the National League play-offs at the end of last season.
Daryl McMahon’s side beat Aldershot Town on penalties to win the Eliminator and set up a semi-final with Tranmere Rovers. Eventually beaten in extra-time, it was still a campaign to remember for Fleet with a highest-ever sixth-place finish in their first season back in Non-League’s top tier. Danzey says there’s a special atmosphere at the Kent club and the reaction to his cancer diagnosis is testament to that. “When I said to the players I had breast cancer they were quite surprised,” Danzey said. “Apparently it’s not an age thing. The nurse at the hospital said they had a 20year-old with it last year so I’ve urged the players to be aware. “They, and the whole club, have been fantastic with me. Every single player sent me a text on the evening of my op. The following Saturday there was a knock at the door with a luxury hamper for me from the players. The support has been fantastic.”