Welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone! Good evening, and thank you for joining me LIVE on The Lotus Flower Podcast, where healing begins and purpose blooms.

I am your host, Dr. Pamela Robinson, and I am delighted to welcome you to this special broadcast as we close out our October Breast Cancer Awareness series.

Tonight, we are going beyond the pink to shine a light on an important topic that is often overlooked: male breast cancer, particularly among African American men.

I am honored to welcome our special guest, Mr. Travis Douglas, a Stage 1, Grade A, ER2-positive male breast cancer survivor, advocate, and man of faith. He joins us to share his personal journey through diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and his mission to educate and encourage others.

Mr. Douglas's willingness to share his testimony reminds us that breast cancer can affect men, too, and that no one should have to face this journey in silence.

Did you know? The numbers matter.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 2,800 men in the United States were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025, and approximately 510 men were expected to die from the disease. These are estimates, not final confirmed counts.

Although male breast cancer is relatively uncommon, every number represents a person, a family, and a community. These statistics remind us why education, awareness, and timely medical attention matter.

Learn more: https://www.cancer.org/.../types/breast-cancer-in-men.html

Breast cancer is not exclusively a woman's disease. Men have breast tissue, and changes in that tissue should never be ignored.

A special message to African American men

To our fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, uncles, grandfathers, pastors, coaches, and friends: your health matters, your life matters, and your voice matters.

Sometimes, men may delay seeking care because they believe breast cancer cannot affect them, feel embarrassed discussing breast changes, or fear what a diagnosis might mean.

But there is no shame in asking questions, scheduling an appointment, seeking a second opinion, or accepting support.

Taking care of yourself is an act of strength. It is an investment in your future and in the people who love you.

Let us encourage our brothers to speak up, seek answers, and take their health seriously.

Breast cancer resources and support

Resources 0000000000000000000000000000

1. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — Breast cancer in men

Website: https://www.dana-farber.org/

Main appointments line: 877-442-3324

2. Susan G. Komen — Breast cancer information and support

Breast Care Helpline: 1-877-465-6636

Website: https://www.komen.org/.../by-diagnosis/male-breast-cancer/

3. Male Breast Cancer Coalition

A resource dedicated to male breast cancer awareness, education, advocacy, and survivor stories.

Website: https://malebreastcancercoalition.org/

4. Malecare — Men's cancer support

Malecare provides cancer education, advocacy, and support, including initiatives focused on underserved communities and African American men's health.

Website: https://malecare.org/

9. African American Breast Cancer Alliance

Website: https://aabcainc.org/