#404 Male Breast Cancer with X-Men Actor and Former Pro Wrestler Tyler Mane
What happens when someone known for strength, stature, and intimidating roles faces a diagnosis most people do not associate with men?
Tyler Mane is known for playing Sabretooth in X-Men and Deadpool & Wolverine, Michael Myers in Halloween, and Ajax in Troy. Before his acting career, Tyler spent more than a decade wrestling professionally around the world, including appearances with WCW and UWF as Big Sky and Nitron. Recently, Tyler has taken on a very different role: raising awareness about male breast cancer.
Tyler joins host Kira Dineen to share his experience of discovering a breast lump, initially believing it was a lipoma, having his concerns dismissed, and ultimately receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. He opens up about his first instinct to keep the diagnosis private, the embarrassment he initially felt, and what motivated him to speak publicly.
Episode Discussion Topics
The breast lump that led Tyler to seek medical care
Why Tyler and his wife, Renae, initially believed the lump was a lipoma
Having his concerns dismissed and continuing to pursue answers
Tyler’s first reaction to his breast cancer diagnosis
The embarrassment and stigma surrounding male breast cancer
Why he ultimately decided to share his story publicly
Symptoms and physical changes men should pay attention to
How masculinity and “toughing it out” can delay medical care
The importance of self-advocacy and early detection
How cancer treatment differs from the physical demands of wrestling
Redefining strength during illness and recovery
Genetic counseling and germline genetic testing after a male breast cancer diagnosis
The implications of Tyler’s BRCA2+ genetic testing results for treatment and relatives including his adult children
How Tyler’s public image affects the response to his diagnosis
Tyler and Renae’s upcoming podcast, MANE AF
Resources & Links
NCCN patient resources are based on the same treatment information your doctors use and help you talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for your disease.
The National Cancer Institute provides an overview of male breast cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, genetic testing, and questions patients may want to discuss with their healthcare teams. The NCI notes that inherited variants in BRCA1, BRCA2, and other genes may influence treatment and have implications for relatives.
FORCE provides education, peer support, advocacy, research updates, and resources for people and families affected by inherited cancer risk, including BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, CHEK2, and other genes.
The National Society of Genetic Counselors’ (NSGC) directory can help patients locate a genetic counselor specializing in cancer genetics, either locally or through telehealth.
Genetic testing panels vary with how many genes are included. Healthcare providers can order just one gene or around a hundred, and everything in between. Tyler mentioned his possibly including 85, which is plausible.
Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode
#360 Hereditary Breast Cancer on the Big Screen with Love, Danielle
Actress and filmmaker Devin Sidell and hereditary cancer advocate Amy Byer Shainman discuss the film Love, Danielle, Devin’s experience with a BRCA1 pathogenic variant, hereditary breast cancer, preventive surgery, family communication, and using storytelling to increase awareness.
#364 Breast Cancer Genetic Testing in Italy: A Curated Gene Panel
This episode explores hereditary breast cancer testing, the genes included on breast cancer panels, and how researchers evaluate which genes have sufficient evidence to guide clinical care.
Attorney and BRCA advocate Erika Stallings and genetic counselor Dena Goldberg discuss breast cancer genetics, BRCA1 and BRCA2, racial disparities in cancer genetics, and improving access to genetic counseling and testing in the Black community.
Scientist and breast cancer survivor Dr. Sandra Balladares shares her experience with breast cancer and discusses how genomic sequencing can identify inherited cancer risk, particularly within historically underserved populations.
Patient advocate Irina Brooke shares her BRCA2 journey, including genetic counseling, genetic testing, cancer-risk management, and supporting people and families affected by hereditary cancer.
#25 Hereditary Cancer Syndromes with Ellen Matloff and Amy Byer Shainman
Hereditary cancer experts Ellen Matloff and Amy Byer Shainman discuss BRCA-associated cancer risks, genetic counseling, genetic testing, breast and ovarian cancer, and the documentary Pink & Blue, which includes the experiences of men affected by breast cancer.
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