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Saturday thousands of people will pound the pavement supporting breast cancer research.

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Saul Hakim was diagnosed with breast cancer at 61.

Only women can compete in the annual Komen Race for the Cure.

While breast cancer is most often a disease of women, men tend to be diagnosed later and have worse outcomes.

Saul Hakim was diagnosed with breast cancer at 61.

“I did a stretch like that, did this there and when I did that, my right nipple was sore,” said Hakim.

Researchers said male breast cancer is on the rise what they can’t tell us is why.

Hakim’s quest to find out what was wrong led him to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Doctor Sharon Giardano is an Oncologist at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

She said almost one quarter of his practice is men. “He was very aggressive in getting additional testing and care but I think that’s really important it’s such a rare tumor that a lot of people don’t expect that men can have breast cancer.”

Hakim was initially told by his doctor in Louisiana that he had a cyst and not to worry.

“In your eyes its not necessary. I feel like it’s more than what you’re telling me and I’m not got to take a chance with my life,” said Hakim.

He ended up with a double mastectomy .

Two years after diagnosis and chemo his cancer is in remission.

As for women, it’s recommended that at 40, females get yearly mammograms and they’re encouraged to do self exams.