HOUSTON - One survivor is sharing his story about his battle with breast cancer and has a warning for every man.
"I had a lump in my chest. I just thought 'I'll get that handled the next time I have a physical.' I didn't quite get to make it that long," said Allen Wilson.
Wilson was diagnosed with breast cancer in his early 50's in 2003.
Although it is rare - only about 2,500 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in America - the morality rate is higher because detection is usually later.
"They've been ignoring a mass in the breast, a nodule in the breast for some time. Never thinking they can get breast cancer," said Dr. Matthew Ellis, Baylor College of Medicine.
Dr. Ellis says some men are more at risk than others - if you are overweight and/or have a close female relative with the disease. Both of Wilson's sisters have breast cancer.
Wilson was on his road to recovery when the cancer came back in 2006.
"I was feeling around and it came back in a scar. So more surgery, chemo and this time they did radiation. Really meant to kill something this time. And they did. And I'm still alive. Alive and kicking," said Wilson.
Wilson advises all men: "The deal is just be aware. Feel your chest. If you have a problem, go get it checked out pretty soon. Later is not good."
