'I have one eye, one kidney and one nipple' but Corby male breast cancer survivor says he still feels lucky

The Corby grandfather-of-four has just completed treatment for breast cancer discovered during a follow-up scan less than two years after a tumour was found on one of his kidneys.

He is one of the 400 men in the UK who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year but feels he is one of the luckiest people alive.

Despite losing the sight in one eye due to macular degeneration, the 83-year-old enjoys life – gardening and watching his beloved Corby Town FC.

He said: “I call myself the one man – I’ve got one eye, one kidney and one nipple but I do feel lucky. I didn’t know the cancer was there. For two years I’ve been on a rollercoaster.”

Christopher’s cancer journey began suddenly in July 2023 when pain in his foot ended him up in hospital with a blood clot – but the clot was the result of something more serious. After his leg ballooned, further tests revealed a sinister reason.

A CT scan found a tumour on one of his kidneys – his consultant made the decision to remove the kidney to ensure the disease did not spread. He underwent surgery on December 4, 2023.

Christopher said: “I had no pain or signs at all before. Having the surgery was a relief. I had no chemo or radiotherapy. They put me on a tablet.

“In early 2024 I had another CT scan and everything was clear. Then in March this year (2025) they gave me the results of another scan which showed a ‘spot’ behind my nipple. They took a biopsy and told me it was cancer.”

Christopher was referred to the breast cancer unit at Kettering General Hospital. In June he had the operation to remove the 20mm tumour leaving him with one nipple.

Being a male patient in a mostly female clinic has resulted in a few misgendering moments.

He said: “I must be unusual because some of the letters I have had refer to me as female – they take it for granted. I am a man.

"But the team at KGH have been brilliant on both occasions. At the moment I have no more appointments. I’m getting back a bit of normality.

"Personally I think everybody should be scanned at a certain age. It would be expensive, but it will be cheaper in the long run.”

As a survivor of one of the more unusual male cancers, he is keen to get the message across that people must not be embarrassed by symptoms and to seek medical advice that could save your life.

Although Christopher’s breast cancer was picked up on a scan, he still checks himself for any body changes.

He added: “Don’t be embarrassed. Examine yourself. Know your body. If you feel anything strange, get medical advice. If you find anything different, get it investigated.”

For further information go to www.breastcanceruk.org.uk and www.cancerresearchuk.org.