When Neil Ferriby walked into the waiting room of the hospital’s breast clinic, the reaction was immediate. The 42-year-old former RAF mechanical transport driver stood out — not because of his demeanor, but because he was the only man among a room full of women.
“It was so noisy in the room, you could have heard a pin drop when they said ‘Neil’,” Ferriby recalled. “They were all staring at me. I don’t think they expected a man my age to get breast cancer.”
And in many ways, they wouldn’t be alone.
A Rare Diagnosis in a Sea of Assumptions
Male breast cancer remains a rare and often misunderstood condition. According to figures from Breast Cancer Now, about 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year, compared to around 55,000 women. Of those 400, only around 100 are under the age of 60.
Neil Ferriby, from East Hull, is one of them.
The father and former serviceman first noticed lumps and a burning sensation around his nipples in January, but initially dismissed them.
“To me, breast cancer seemed like something that only happened to women — or older men in their 60s,” he said.
It wasn’t until weeks later, after encouragement from friends and family, that Ferriby visited his GP. He was quickly referred to Castle Hill Hospital in East Yorkshire for further tests. A mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy followed — and in March, the results confirmed the presence of cancer cells.
A Soldier’s Mindset
Since his diagnosis, Ferriby has undergone surgery to remove three tumours and 13 lymph nodes, and has just started chemotherapy. Despite the physical and emotional toll, his mindset remains focused — shaped, he says, by his time in the military.
“I served in Iraq during my 12 years in the RAF. When I got the diagnosis, I went back into that soldier mentality,” he said. “Even if I was injured, I had to fight. I’m here to fight — not to let cancer take my life.”
Currently recovering with elastic chest braces to support his healing, Ferriby will also undergo radiotherapy, followed by ten years of tamoxifen, a hormone therapy drug commonly prescribed in breast cancer treatment.
Challenging Stereotypes, Raising Awareness
Being a younger man with breast cancer has often made Ferriby feel “like an imposter.”
But instead of withdrawing, he’s leaning into visibility — hoping his story will help challenge public misconceptions.
“The posters, the TV adverts — they’re all aimed at women,” he said. “If there are men out there, especially around my age or younger, who notice something off in their chest, I’d tell them: don’t wait four weeks like I did. Go to your GP.”
According to Katy Goford, a clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, Ferriby’s story reinforces a vital message.
“All men have breast tissue,” she said. “The advice we give to women is the same for men — be aware of how your chest normally looks and feels. Touch, look, and check. And report any changes to your GP.”
An Isolating Experience — But Not Alone
Because male breast cancer is so rare, many men report feeling isolated after diagnosis. To address this, Breast Cancer Now operates a helpline and buddy service that connects male patients with others going through similar experiences.
Ferriby himself has reached out to local and national breast cancer charities, and though the journey hasn’t been without awkwardness, he’s been heartened by the response.
He recalls contacting a charity called Her Breast Friends, asking: “Do you really work with men?”
“The emails I got back were so enthusiastic. They said, ‘Absolutely — come and join us for our pampering day.’”
The support has helped Ferriby not only feel more connected, but also more empowered.
“I wouldn’t mind being a guinea pig for the NHS,” he said with a laugh. “I want people to learn from this.”
Turning Pain into Purpose
Now, Ferriby is channeling his energy into fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support, while continuing his treatment. He credits his nurse with helping him every step of the way.
And through it all, he’s become an unexpected advocate — not just for male breast cancer awareness, but for rethinking who we imagine as a cancer patient.
“Men don’t expect to hear the words ‘you have breast cancer’ — and because of that, many ignore the signs. But cancer doesn’t care about gender. Or age. Or expectations.”
Related topics:
- ‘Bachelorette’ Star, 34, Shares Stage 4 Cancer Update
- Kayleigh McEnany On BRCA2 Diagnosis And Preventive Double Mastectomy
- Kylie Jenner Flaunts Breasts In Latex Mini Dress After Augmentation
