When Stephen Lewis found a lump in his breast he wasn't unduly worried. He certainly didn't suspect it could be breast cancer so it came as a shock when he was given the diagnosis.
The bombshell in June 2020 was just the start of what turned out to be a terrible turn of events for the widowed pensioner, coming on top of losing his wife Margaret, 64, to sepsis the year before. He went on to have three cancer diagnoses in the space of just eight months.
"If I can get my story out I've always said I will shout it from the rooftops if people want to listen," says Mr Lewis, warning men that breast cancer doesn't only affect women and urging both sexes to seek medical attention if they find anything unusual.
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After being referred to the Breast Institute at Nottingham City Hospital by his GP, the 67-year-old grandfather was found to have a 19mm tumour which turned out to be the early stages of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK with one woman diagnosed every 10 minutes but in men it's extremely rare.
Less than one percent of breast cancer cases are men. Mr Lewis, from Bulwell, said: "I didn't know men could get it. It took me by surprise and when I went to the Breast Institute I was told I was only the second male to go through that clinic, not that it's any consolation to me."
"I found the lump quite by accident," he added, brushing his hand across his chest to demonstrate. "I thought 'that's strange'. I left it for a couple of weeks and It was still there. That's when I contacted my GP's surgery."
Initially the GP changed his medication and told Mr Lewis to monitor the lump. It didn't disappear so three months later he contacted the doctor again, who then referred him to the Breast Institute, where he underwent an ultrasound and a biopsy.
As the UK was in lockdown at the time due to the pandemic, the retired glass processor received the diagnosis by telephone from a consultant. "She said 'I'm sorry Stephen but I need to inform you you have early stages of breast cancer'. I took that very calmly. I was on my own, I had no one around me. It wasn't a phone call I was expecting," says Mr Lewis.
It was when he broke the news to his family that he "lost it" and cried but daughters Lisa and Anne and son Jason rallied round to support him. Telling his grandchildren he had breast cancer, he said: "Don't worry about it because grandad will beat this and I have always maintained that confidence."
In July 2020 Mr Lewis underwent a full mastectomy on his right breast on the NHS at the private Park Hospital, followed by chemotherapy. However, following a scan on September 9, there was another blow when he was found to have liver cancer.
Six weeks later he was in surgery again, this time for an eight-hour operation to remove 40 percent of his liver. Three weeks later he was given the good news that the operation had been successful and that his liver had regenerated to at least 80 percent of its original size.
Another setback befell him in January 2021 when a follow-up scan revealed more cancer - this time affecting a lymph gland under his heart. Due to angina he couldn't have an operation, so the treatment was intravenous immunotherapy to target the cancer cells.
He said: "The first sign of any shrinkage was in November 2021 so I'd done eight months of treatment, every three weeks, and it's maintained a reduction since. I spoke to my consultant two weeks ago who told me my treatment is likely to be stopping at the end of February/beginning of March. I will have another PET scan and see how we go from there.
"If my cancer is still there the consultant said we will cross that bridge when we come to it. He says if we have to we will apply for funding to continue the treatment but there are other irons in the fire so don't worry about that yet."
His loyal and supportive family have helped him through his illness. He temporarily stayed with his daughter Anne and her family following his discharge from hospital after the liver operation for which he thanked her from the bottom of his heart.
Another huge source of support was - and still is - Maggie's Nottingham, the centre based in the grounds of Nottingham City Hospital that provides free cancer support. "Maggie's played a big part in my recovery. I have good days, bad days," said Mr Lewis, sitting in one of the colourful rooms with floral seats designed by world-famous fashion designer Sir Paul Smith.
Stopping to take a sip of tea, he explains how one of the side effects of treatment is a dry mouth and mouth ulcers. "I've had fantastic support from Maggie's, from the staff themselves, I have had one-to-ones, and I have been to sleep workshops, fatigue workshops and the men's group for well over 18 months. That is a big form of support to me as I am to the others.
"To walk in this building has a calming effect straight away. The staff are unbelievable and so are the volunteers. Maggie's to me is a lifeline as it is to a lot of other people who come in here."
He was no stranger to the charity-run centre as he'd previously visited when his wife was going through womb cancer and his brother-in-law Andy had oesophageal cancer before he passed away in 2017. The charity relies on donations so last year Mr Lewis raised around £1,400. He sold off tools from the allotment he can no longer maintain and took part in the annual Culture Crawl.
He will be taking part in the Culture Crawl once again this year, joined by his two sisters and a niece. "By hook or by crook I will be there. My mindset is whatever I have gone through there are always people worse off than me. I have gone through a lot but I am also of the mind I don't sit at home on my own in the evening thinking 'why me?' because it's got to be somebody. I sit thinking about my wife... why isn't she here with me now?"
September 8 would have been the couple's 49th wedding anniversary. "We'd got plans for our 50th. Obviously we're not going to do anything now as she's not here. I miss her terribly," he says.
"I feel very fortunate the cancer was discovered quickly," he adds, encouraging both women, and men to speak to their GP if they find a lump. "If you say you can't get in to see your GP, I will say you can. You need to tell them the symptoms and if you can't get through on the telephone, you need to go to your surgery. You will get an appointment. You have to force those issues."
The story doesn't end there. It emerged that Stephen is a carrier of the BRCA2 gene. His three children have also tested positive for the gene, meaning a higher risk of developing hereditary breast cancer, ovarian cancer and in Jason's case prostate cancer.
Anne has already had a double mastectomy and Lisa is about to have the operation as a precaution. Jason is being monitored by annual blood tests to check for prostate cancer and is keeping vigilant for breast lumps.
Annie Walton, the head of Maggie's Nottingham, said: "Here at Maggie's Nottingham we pride ourselves on providing a safe emotional space in a therapeutic environment facilitated by professional staff. We recognise that it's not always about what we say here at Maggie's, it's about how we make people feel."
Maggie's Nottingham Culture Crawl
This year's event will be taking place on Friday September 30. There will be less distance to cover than previously. Supporters of the charity will come together for a five-mile walk to explore Nottingham at night.
The walk will start at the Lakeside Arts in University Park at 6pm, taking in historical buildings and cultural venues such as Wollaton Hall and Deer Park, Djanogly Art Gallery and the University of Nottingham. There will be live music and performers along the route, including Tuneless Choir, the Rockabillies and Nottingham Youth Orchestra, and food and drink, including a glass of something to celebrate at the end.
Registration is £20 but there is £5 off if you sign up before Friday September 9 using the promo code FLASH5. Participants are asked to raise £100 to support people with cancer.
To support Stephen and help raise funds for Maggie's click here or to take part yourself register here
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