Eric Pieszala, a Booker who works at Metro's Cold Spring Station, is speaking out about his fight with cancer with the intent to raise awareness about breast cancer in males.  Although it is rare, it is possible. His honest story of encouragement and love reminds us that no one is ever really alone in their fight. 

For most of Eric's life, he was a bit overweight and every once in a while, he would encounter a lump in his breast area, it would grow, sometimes cause some pain, but eventually disappear. In the fall of 2017, he developed a lump in his left breast and attributed it to be a cyst.  His wife on the other hand said to call the doctor, but he wanted to wait.  In the spring of 2018, while undergoing a physical for the child adoption process he and his wife were undergoing, the doctor had an ultrasound conducted on the lump.  He was told shortly after that he had stage 2 breast cancer and that it had reached one of his lymph nodes. Subsequently, he underwent surgery, four months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  He hoped after all of this that he would now be cancer-free. 

In September of 2019, he was told that the cancer had come back into his lungs as metastatic cancer.   He is currently treating for stage 4 cancer.  He continues to battle tough challenges but is so grateful for all of the tremendous support from his family, friends, and coworkers.  He continues to stay strong in his fight but urges men to stay vigilant.     

“I’ve been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and have now started oral chemo.  Emotionally it’s been hard thinking of my mortality and how many years I have left.  Even though the doctors have been really encouraging as far as treatment plans, there are still no guarantees.  If I can offer any advice to someone undergoing a similar battle, I would recommend finding a great support system from friends and family and also join support groups. Even as a man going through this and going to female support groups, the process has been extremely helpful.  I have learned a lot about the battle from both women and men.  Currently, I am trying to make sure men know that they, too, can get this disease and that they need to regularly check themselves,” says Eric.

Breast cancer is a disease that dominates women, but it is expected that over 2,500 men will also be diagnosed in the U.S. next year.  For men, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer is about 1 in 833.

If you would like to know more about Eric's story and how you can help go to Eric's FBP.