Troy Flint, a 48-year-old father of two living in Sacramento, Calif., never thought he could get breast cancer until he was diagnosed in 2023. His journey with male breast cancer began when his daughter noticed a physical change in his chest during a day at the pool. This led to a series of events that would ultimately uncover his shocking diagnosis.

After his daughter pointed out the difference in his nipples, Flint, who works for a nonprofit education association, discovered that one of his nipples appeared inverted. Concerned, he turned to the internet for answers and found that an inverted nipple is a common sign of breast cancer. Despite not fitting the typical profile for male breast cancer, being slender and in good health, Flint decided to seek medical advice.

Following a visit to his doctor, Flint underwent a series of tests, including a mammogram and an ultrasound, which revealed suspicious findings. Subsequently, a biopsy confirmed his worst fears – he had male breast cancer that had spread to his lymph nodes.

Now a patient at UC Davis Medical Center, Flint is participating in a clinical immunotherapy trial, an opportunity he believes stemmed from being an atypical case of male breast cancer. He hopes that sharing his story will raise awareness and help other men recognize the signs and symptoms of this rare but serious condition.