Roger in hospital after his double cancer diagnosis (Image: PA)
A man who was remarkably fit and healthy, who shockingly collapsed only to be diagnosed with not one but two types of cancer within a four-month window, is urging his fellow men to “talk to somebody” and “act quickly” if they have any concerns. Roger Stanley, aged 64 from Shrewsbury in Shropshire, got the life-changing news of prostate cancer in March 2023 following PSA tests that note the level of prostate-specific antigen in the bloodstream.
In May 2023, a radical prostatectomy was carried out an invasive surgery which involves removing the prostate gland along with nearby lymph nodes. As part of his follow-up checks, an unexpected mass in his chest emerged and this led to the finding that he also had cancer in his right breast just a fortnight after undergoing the prostatectomy.
In July 2023, a single mastectomy was performed to remove the cancer-ridden tissue.
This former forensic accountant is currently on Tamoxifen, a hormone therapy tablet that is known for its intense side effects, including menopause-like impacts such as brain fog, which he brought up as being particularly “horrendous”. Nevertheless, he has been given information that suggests it could effectively halve the odds of his cancer returning.
Having connected with other males enduring breast cancer through the support network The Men’s VMU (Virtual Meet-up), he hopes that by sharing his own experience, he can offer support to others and increase public awareness, reports Birmingham Live.
Roger was diagnosed with prostate cancer and then breast cancer (Image: PA)
Despite being symptom-free for both his prostate and breast cancer, Roger urges others not to hesitate in getting health checks. Speaking to PA Real Life, he remarked: “At that time, I didn’t realise that men could get breast cancer, it was just not something I had thought about.”
Regarding his own diagnosis, he confessed: “When it came to my own diagnosis, I had no clue I had breast cancer I couldn’t feel a lump, I had no symptoms, I had no pain, my partner Shaila hadn’t noticed a lump. “It was completely unexpected… but hopefully, by talking, it will help at least one person get something checked and make a difference. “”.
Before his diagnoses, Roger viewed himself as “fit and healthy”, being a sport enthusiast who loved the outdoors. Yet, a sudden collapse at home in December 2022 saw him rushed to hospital where doctors found bleeding in his oesophagus caused by acid reflux a condition of which he was unaware.
While in the hospital following blood transfusions, test results revealed a slight elevation in his PSA levels, though it was not deemed a concern then. Further investigation through a biopsy and other tests such as a CT scan unveiled an unfortunate truth in March 2023: Roger had “fairly aggressive” prostate cancer.
Roger biking in Portugal with his partner Shaila before his diagnosis (Image: PA)
Roger revealed that he had no symptoms of prostate cancer which can include needing to urinate more frequently or blood in urine but he is “grateful” doctors “picked it up” after he collapsed. “Before this, I was fit and healthy, I’d met a new partner, and we were looking forward to the future and had lots of holidays planned,” he said.
“But because my dad had had it and was treated with radiotherapy and my friend had had it and was treated with brachytherapy, I wasn’t really concerned.”
In May 2023, Roger underwent a radical prostatectomy at the Clinica Universidad de Navarra in Spain he chose this medical centre due to potential long wait times on the NHS in the UK. “It was the Da Vinci machine and I remember going into the operating theatre and thinking, ‘Wow, it looks really cool, it’s like something out of a Spider-Man movie’,” he said.
“Then I came around five hours later.”
Prior to the prostatectomy, Roger had undergone a CT scan and, during his recovery, the results showed “something unusual on (his) right breast”.
He was declared fit and healthy following his prostatectomy, but further tests took place, including a mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy, revealing he had breast cancer in July 2023. “I couldn’t believe it and just thought, ‘What? ‘,” Roger said.
Roger with his partner Shaila (Image: PA)
“After the initial shock, it was, ‘Right, OK, just get it done and get it out’ but I soon realised that you can’t just get it out and carry on with your life because there are consequences. “It was lucky it was picked up because with most men, you don’t know you can get it, if you find something you ignore it, and even if you do find something you don’t think it’s breast cancer. “In July 2023, Roger returned to Spain for a single mastectomy on his right breast, putting his trust in the medical centre where he had previously undergone a prostatectomy. Thankfully, due to early detection, Roger did not require chemotherapy or radiotherapy. During his recovery, he received support from charities Prostate Cancer UK and Breast Cancer Now.The operation was successful, leaving him with a “neat” scar on the right side of his chest. Post-surgery physiotherapy helped him regain strength and movement, allowing him to return to sports like tennis. However, as part of his treatment plan, he was prescribed Tamoxifen from September 2023 for five years.This medication, he revealed, has caused him “menopausal” symptoms and side effects such as brain fog, confusion, exhaustion, and anxiety, occasionally reducing him to a “babbling wreck”. “I just wanted to get back to life, recover as quickly as possible… but with the Tamoxifen, that’s where I fell to pieces,” he admitted.”
You’re just incapable of doing things not wanting to get out of bed, mad thoughts going through your head in the morning, like dreams but not dreams.
You can’t work out what’s reality and what’s not. Taking decisions like what to wear, or sending a simple text to a friend, I just couldn’t do it.
Roger in Carmona, Spain (Image: PA)
“Roger revealed that it reached “a stage where (he) couldn’t cope” and lamented the lack of information and statistics on male breast cancer compared to female patients, which left him struggling for “answers”. Yet, after consulting with medical professionals and connecting with fellow sufferers at The Men’s VMU, Roger found camaraderie and support.He even joined some VMU members for a meet-up at a London pub earlier this month, an experience he describes as invaluable for gaining “perspective”. Now, he’s eager to share his journey: “(The VMU) is a completely safe space, you can say anything you like, and everybody’s journey is different, but everybody has the same common thread,” he expressed.”
Don’t be afraid to get checked and don’t be afraid to talk and talk to The Men’s VMU. “So few men get (breast cancer), but if you do find something, act on it quickly and don’t ignore these things, because if you catch it early, you can do something about it.”
Ross McLean, consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Despite the common perception that breast cancer is a women’s disease, men can and do get breast cancer too. “Unfortunately, many men face significant challenges, including delayed diagnoses and inadequate support systems, largely due to the misconception that breast cancer does not affect them.
Roger in hospital after the single mastectomy (Image: PA)
“”This can lead to men ignoring early warning signs and being diagnosed at more advanced stages with worse outcomes. “By increasing awareness and support for male breast cancer patients, we can improve early detection, treatment outcomes, and overall quality of life for all affected individuals.”
For further information on The Men’s VMU, please visit their website at themensvmu.org.