'I was diagnosed with breast cancer after my wife felt a lump - now I spread the word men can get it too at Cannock Asda'

A man from Cannock has been praised online for bravely sharing the story of his breast cancer diagnosis while supporting Asda campaign.

Darren Pallet, who regularly supports the supermarket’s Tickled Pink events to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel, opened up about when he found out he had cancer while supporting the 30th anniversary of the campaign.

The 60-year-old retired HGV driver explained how he was diagnosed with grade two invasive ductal cancer in June 2023, just four days after his wife of 40 years Fiona felt a lump in his chest when he was lying down. She is registered blind and has a heightened sense of touch.

In a post, shared by Asda’s team, Darren said: ""She just said, 'what's that next to your nipple?' It was the size of a pea. I was being a typical male and said it would be cyst, it would be nothing. It was a Sunday and she told me to call the doctor the next day, but I didn't.

“She rang the doctor herself on the Tuesday morning and I was in the same day. Two days later I was in New Cross Hospital's breast care unit where I had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies.

"Two weeks later I went back and I was told I had invasive ductal cancer, but luckily it hadn't got to my lymph nodes.

"It was just a massive shock. I'd heard of men getting breast cancer, but hadn't really taken it in. It's something like 55,000 woman a year in the UK get breast cancer, for men it's less than 400. It is rare, but it does happen."

Darren, who is a father of two sons and grandfather, had a full left mastectomy on August 1, 2023. He describes himself as “really lucky” to have had it found and treated within six weeks.

He added that he is also “one of the very lucky few who haven't had to have chemotherapy or radiotherapy, I'm just on Tamoxifen for five years."

To highlight male breast cancer Darren completed a motorbike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats and raised £4,000 for Breast Cancer Now and he's also appeared on the Lorraine TV show. He also has his own Facebook page, Men Too Breast Cancer.

The post showed him standing proudly in a shirt donning the phrase: “Pink & Blue because men can get breast cancer too!”

Asda Cannock community champion Sue Westmancoat said: "It's great having Darren at our events, where he's able to give a male perspective on breast cancer. It really brings it home that breast cancer doesn't discriminate, both men and women can get it.

"Last year, a customer approached him and told him about his concerns about a lump he'd found on his upper chest. Darren chatted to him and advised him to see his GP. He told the customer about his treatment journey and even showed him his surgery scar."

How can men get breast cancer?

Breast cancer in men is rare and occurs when cancer develops in breast tissue in the chest. According to the NHS, anyone can develop breast cancer, but men are more likely to be affected over the age of 60.

Symptoms can include a lump or swelling in the chest or armpit, nipple discharge, changes to the nipple’s appearance or sores on the chest.

Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean someone has cancer, but it is important to see a GP about unusual changes.

Treatment usually involves surgery and may also include chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy.

How can I support Asda’s TickledPink campaign?

You can support Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign by buying selected pink products, donating at the checkout, volunteering at fundraising events, organising your own fundraiser or donating unwanted clothes through George Take Back.

You can also help by raising awareness of breast cancer and encouraging people to check their chests regularly. The campaign supports Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel!, funding breast cancer research, education and support.

Speaking in support of the campaign, Darren added: “I think Tickled Pink is great for raising awareness, and gets the breast cancer message out there. It's so important to check your chest – for both men and women.

“Ninety-nine per cent of the time it's going to be nothing, but it's best to check. Know your norm! Early diagnosis is key – it worked for me."

For more information about Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign, visit the Asda website.