Survivor Story: Mike Davis

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Mike Davis’ message is clear now.

“Guys can get it too. Men can get breast cancer,’' Davis says. ”But if you think something’s not right, go have it checked.’’

And so is his understanding of breast cancer, far advanced from when he went months ignoring a knot in his chest 14 years ago.

“That knot began to itch,’' said Davis. ”And everywhere I went, I found myself just reaching up and scratching.’'

Davis told his wife, who told her doctor, who was even more alarmed than she was.

“They called me when I was at work and went ‘you need to come in. And you need to come in today.’ So, I did,’' said Davis ”I went in and sat down and I took off my shirt and he was kind of looking at my chest. He just kind of looked at me and said ‘I think I know what it is, in fact, I’m pretty sure.’

“And I said what? He said ‘I think it’s breast cancer.’ And I was literally like, what?’'

Davis’ education of a disease that affects 99 women for every one man was just beginning, as were some complicated feelings.

“One, I was completely embarrassed,’' he said. ”Two, I was scared to death. And I was embarrassed because I’m a guy, I didn’t know guys could get breast cancer.

“And here I have to go have a mammogram, which is again, totally embarrassing.’'

That mammogram revealed Stage 3 breast cancer and a 3/4-inch tumor in his chest that required a mastectomy, 22 rounds of radiation and four rounds of chemotherapy.

The intense treatment also managed to cure Davis’ embarrassment.

“They asked me about reconstruction surgery, and I was like, I’m a guy I don’t need reconstruction surgery,’' said Davis. ”I remember I looked up and I said ‘can I get a D cup?’

“And my wife was in the back of the room and all I heard was ‘ugh.’ But it lightened the mood, which is what I needed.’'

Once in remission, Davis decided what other men needed was to hear about his experience.

So, he shared what he learned about breast cancer through TV interviews and speaking engagements, becoming known as the Man in Pink.

“When I first came down with breast cancer, I thought something was wrong with me, just from that manlihood perspective,’' Davis said. ”A man’s man never gets breast cancer. But once I got over that, it was like, God I’ve got to do something.

“I want to help as many guys as I can. I’ve had many guys call me. I’ve had many people search me out to ask how did you do this, how did you know? I’ve made sure that people are aware. And that’s been my goal.’'

Davis’ breast cancer journey also helped his own family a decade after his fight, when his wife was diagnosed and he became the caregiver some men struggle to be.

“It helped tremendously because I knew emotionally what she was going through,’' he said. ”Physically, I was there for support. Her doctors were taking care of her and I knew when she was going through some issues what she felt.

“But I knew emotionally what she was going through, which is probably the worst part. You don’t know if tomorrow exists. So, it helped me help her.’'

That opportunity introduced another unexpected emotion to Davis’ breast cancer experience: Gratitude.

“The whole experience changes your life,’' Davis said. ”I don’t know how to explain it to anybody but anybody who has had cancer, their life just changes.

“It can either be worse or it can be better, you pick which way you’re going to go. And for me, it was an extreme positive. Not only family, friends, job. You name it, everything is just so much better. It’s probably not the best thing that’s ever happened to me, but I would put it up toward the top.’'