Michigan businessman urges other men to get checked after his breast cancer diagnosis
LANSING, Mich. (InvestigateTV) — Breast cancer impacts millions of American women every year, but while rare, men can get it too.
The American Cancer Society says awareness is key to catching breast cancer. Since it’s more common in women, they tend to be more cognizant about warning signs. It’s why a well-known Michigan businessman is putting a male face to the disease.
For the past 50 years, selling cars to satisfied customers has been Ralph Shaheen’s goal.
Two to three times a week, the 74-year-old minds the net in a seniors-over-sixty hockey league.
“It just releases all the tension, you forget for a while all your worries and woes,” Shaheen said.
Shaheen has had his share of worries and woes since early 2024. It all began during a routine workout session.
“We were doing some stretches against the wall, pressed against the wall, and I went ‘man that’s sore!’” Shaheen said, grabbing his left breast.
His initial thought was that it must be a hockey injury.
“I kind of just blew it off, like most guys do, it’ll get better,” he said.
But it never did, and eventually Shaheen found himself at the Cleveland Clinic for a physical.
“He looked at it, he goes ‘you need a mammogram.’ I said ‘I’ll get one when I get home.’ He said ‘no. No, you’re getting a mammogram right now,’” Shaheen said.
Rare diagnosis leads to treatment
Ralph Shaheen walked out of the Cleveland Clinic with a diagnosis and into his home hospital, McLaren Karmanos Cancer Institute, to get his breast tissue tested.
It was the medical confirmation he was dreading.
“Breast cancer. Male breast cancer. Who knew?” Shaheen said.
Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than one percent of all breast cancer cases. The diagnosis left Shaheen terrified at first.
“But then I said, ya know, ask people to pray for you, but it’s in God’s hands,” he said.
Shaheen had his nipple and the cancerous tissue behind it removed. Dr. Jatin Rana, his oncologist, said men normally have later stages of breast cancer because they don’t get annual mammograms.
Shaheen is fortunate that he caught his early, at stage one.
“The vast majority of men have a good outcome, just like women, if they are caught at an earlier stage,” Dr. Rana said.
Shaheen endured four weeks of radiation treatments and four rounds of chemotherapy after surgery.
“My wife, Denise, was just a sweetheart. Came with me to chemo. My daughter, they were scared too,” he said.
Those fears eventually gave way to a fighting spirit in his face-off against breast cancer and the goal of being cancer-free.
“I feel wonderful. I feel great. I never stopped exercising or playing hockey,” Shaheen said.
Now, along with selling cars, he’s giving free advice.
“I want guys to know, you need to check yourself, if you suspect something...don’t wait,” he said.
Shaheen also received support from his team at work. They made “Shaheen Strong” wristbands that can be spotted in his newest commercials.
He says he’s now regularly seeing his doctor for check-ups and taking medication to help prevent the cancer from recurring.
Screening recommendations for men
Regular screenings, such as mammograms, help detect breast cancer early and improve chances for successful treatment.
While screenings are encouraged for women after a certain age, the American Cancer Society explains that because breast cancer is so uncommon in men, there’s likely no benefit to screening the general male population.
Since men have very little breast tissue, it is easier to feel small masses.
If you do find a lump, the American Cancer Society says you should not brush it off or be embarrassed.
Instead, get it checked out by a doctor.
Watch more of Ralph’s story by clicking here.
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