“Growing up in an era that demanded and even expected secrecy of one’s gayness, I had successfully compartmentalized my life. Frightened of anyone knowing the real me, I gave fear permission to set up a permanent residence within and completely divorced my true self from my roles as an elementary teacher, sibling, and in some cases-friend. Relying on old familiar patterns I gave full authority to my doctors, the drug-Tamoxifen, and fear. Shadowing the multiple surgeries, decisions, numerous doctor visits, the discovery of my BRCA-2 gene, and mammograms was a sense of being unsettled, alone”

Male breast cancer is relatively rare, but accounts for about 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses. In this story from the National LGBT Cancer Project, Michael describes his diagnosis, treatment and recurrence and subsequent healing journey.

Read more of Michaels story here.