X-Men actor and former professional wrestler Tyler Mane has publicly shared his diagnosis of a rare form of breast cancer, vowing to document his treatment journey to raise awareness about the disease in men.
Diagnosis and announcement
In a video posted on social media on Monday, the 59-year-old Saskatoon-born star revealed he has breast cancer, a condition that affects less than 1% of men according to the Canadian Cancer Society. "I have some bad news. I start chemo today. One in 750 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. And I'm one of them," he said.
Mane noted that male breast cancer is often detected in later stages, leading to poorer outcomes because it is rarely discussed. He declared his intention to change that by sharing his journey and encouraging men to watch for symptoms.
Initial reluctance and wife's role
Initially, Mane admitted he wanted to keep the diagnosis private. "I'll be honest, my first reaction was to keep it secret. I mean it's kind of embarrassing," he wrote on Facebook. However, he learned that men are more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stages because the condition is not talked about or screened for. He credited his wife for urging him to have a lump removed, which led to early detection. "If caught early, it's VERY treatable," he emphasized.
Symptoms and statistics
The Canadian Cancer Society explains that all adults have breast tissue, though male breasts are less developed. Most male breast cancers are ductal carcinoma, starting in the milk duct lining. Symptoms may include nipple discharge, inverted nipple, skin changes, or a lump in the armpit. Because mammography screening is not routine for men, diagnoses often occur later, but survival rates by stage are similar to those in women.
Career highlights
Mane began his public career in wrestling during the 1980s, performing as Big Sky in World Championship Wrestling before moving to the Universal Wrestling Federation until 1996. He then transitioned to Hollywood, playing Sabretooth in the original 2000 X-Men film, a role he reprised in 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine. He also appeared in Troy, Joe Dirt, and Rob Zombie's Halloween movies.
Call to action
Ending his announcement with a defiant "F*** cancer," Mane urged everyone to break the stigma around male breast cancer and start talking about it. He plans to share the highs and lows of his treatment to inspire others and improve outcomes for men facing this rare diagnosis.
