BLUFFTON, S.C. () — 1% of men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.  

In April’s Buddy Check 3 report, an email to ’s Tina Tyus-Shaw from a Bluffton man led to a face to face meeting about being in that 1%.

After 30 years in health care, Jeff Stauffer and his wife Linda retired and decided to make Bluffton their home.

The move was something they had been looking forward to, but not long after they settled into their home he discovered he had breast cancer when he was on the mend from a shoulder injury. 

“My arm was in a sling with that little cushion behind it,” said Stauffer. “When I was finally able to take it off, get in the shower I noticed a lump in my armpit, and I also noticed one right next to my sternum.” 

Having a background in health care, he knew all about breast cancer. In addition, his own mother  had the disease. What he didn’t realize is that he was one of only 1% of men who get it.

“I didn’t have any pain because all of the nerves were cut,” Stauffer said. “I had a total mastectomy. I didn’t have to get radiation or the more traditional intravenous chemo, just take hormone therapy tamoxifen. They said you’re lucky, you’re on a pill for 5 years.”

As he navigates the after effects of his treatment, he continues to take medication to help keep him in remission. 

Now, this Air Force Veteran is living a full, happy life.  

On this particular day, he reflected on the life of his father, a World War II Veteran.

“Don’t ignore any unusual sensations if you just happen to touch your chest or anything,” Stauffer said. “You’re not going to feel it just sitting in the chair. You’ve got to go in and find it. Even if you go to the doctor and it’s a false alarm, better going to the doctor than ignoring something.”

Stauffer says he’s most thankful for his treatment at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

“My primary care Dr. Wallace, and my surgeon Dr. Deanna Mansker up at Beaufort Memorial. They’ve all been great. Once a year, I have a mammogram. She does the breast exam on the other side to make sure nothing is coming up there.”

Cancer nurse navigators there said that national guidelines indicate that breast cancer usually occurs in men between the ages of 60 and 70 years old and make up less than 1% of all cases of breast cancer.

In addition, they suggest all men should look for lumps that can be felt or discharge from the nipple. 

If you have those, visit your doctor to get checked out.