LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- God, a sense of humor, and encouragement from a room full of women. That's what a Louisville man said helped get him through his battle with breast cancer.
By taking one look at a photo of Skipper Martin and his family, you can tell they know how to laugh. He might even be called the life of the party.
Skipper Martin and his family. (Family photo)
But about 10 years ago, his family went through a rough season in life. His son had just died from leukemia and Martin had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
"That year was a shock for the family," he said. "I was taking a shower and all of a sudden I went, 'Woo, what's this?' So in washing, I found this little pea size, it was about a little bigger than a pea."
Martin's doctor suggested he get a mammogram.
"I said 'You mean where I've got to go like women?' And said 'Yeah,'" he said. "And as I walked in to the door, there were 10 women in there and they said 'Why are you here?' And I said 'Well, I think I got breast cancer,' and so it proved that I did."
According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 833 men get diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
"Male breast cancer is an infrequent diagnosis, but it can happen," said Dr. Beth Riley, an oncologist at the Brown Cancer Center.
Riley treated Martin after his diagnosis.
"Beth Riley was a blessing," said Martin.
She treats about 2-3 men each year for breast cancer. She said men with a history of the disease in their family should be especially aware of this.
"And I think, psychologically, it's difficult for the men because they also believe they're not supposed to get breast cancer," she said.
And while you may have the best care in the world, sometimes laughter is the best medicine.
"They treated it with humor, yeah," said Martin.
Knowing his personality, his family decided to make him laugh.
"And my grandchildren, one said, 'Well you got a man boob.' And my granddaughter gave me a bra with one cup," he said.
When asked if it helped, Martin said "Well humor will usually help all situations, if somebody can find something with humor."
But what also helped was a "Horses and Hope" event packed with 800 women.
"They all came up to me and grabbed me and said, 'You're gonna be fine,'" Martin said. "I had reinforcement from the women in that room who were all breast cancer survivors."
Now, he tries to pay it forward by encouraging other women and men.
"The more you're around women that really have had a problem, the stronger you get," he said. "And then you can go to God and you figure out 'What can I do' and it ends up a positive experience because you will then share it, I guess, with other people."
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