COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – As we wrap up Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a Columbus Army veteran is speaking out about his shocking diagnosis and recovery. I spoke with him and one of his doctors who has advice for all men.

Wendell Sanders served 20 years in the military, deploying to Bosnia, Croatia and Afghanistan. The Gulf War veteran is now fighting another battle. It all started when he was working hard to lose weight. What he saw while training probably saved his life.

“And I noticed there was a spot on my chest. I said, I better go check it out, so I went to Martin Army (Fort Moore Hospital),” said Army Vet Wendell Sanders. “They called me that Monday and said, Mr. Sanders, we have something to tell you. You have male breast cancer. I was in shock… denial, shock, how could this happen to me?”

Diagnosed with early stage 1 breast cancer, Wendell didn’t want a surgeon to cut away some of her breast tissue – but his daughter in Marina convinced him to have the surgery. He didn’t need chemotherapy, though. A year later, he’s helping raise awareness with his doctor about male breast cancer, which can be easily missed.

“If anyone in your family has any kind of cancer, you should watch yourself, because maybe I do,” said Dr. Murkesh Kumar.

Dr. Kumar, an oncologist at Piedmont Columbus Regional John B. Amos Cancer Center in west Georgia, prescribed Wendell pills to help stop the cancer from coming back.

Male breast cancer is relatively rare, one percent or less, but this doctor says there are risk factors to watch out for: genetic predisposition, taking testosterone-adjusting drugs like anabolic steroids, or noticing discomfort.

“Women, they check their breasts, there are mammograms, screening. For men, we don’t have any annual screening program, but you have to get checked – any mass, any lump, any breast swelling on either side,” said Dr Kumar. “You catch it early, we can cure it.”

Nearly three decades ago, after fighting in the Gulf War, Wendell’s breast cancer diagnosis is now a service-connected disability under the PACT Act, meaning veterans can get their health care benefits even more quickly.

“What started out as what looked like a pimple on his chest turned into all of this,” Sanders said. “Once I looked in the mirror … I said, yeah, I’m going to get over this.”

He returned to training and beat the odds by tying his bench press record. His routine now also includes annual mammograms. And he has advice for other men and vets.

“Talk to your friends, ex-veterans, see what they’ve been through. Don’t be afraid to go check yourself out. Anything is possible. It can happen to you,” Sanders added.

This breast cancer survivor also takes her own advice: keep moving, keep fit.

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