Richard Roundtree's Story: Yes, Men Can Get Breast Cancer

On screen

Richard Roundtree was a trailblazing actor, best known for starring in Shaft. In 1993, he discovered a lump and was diagnosed with breast cancer — a diagnosis that surprises many people, because breast cancer is so often thought of as affecting only women. Roundtree underwent treatment, survived, and later became a public advocate, working to raise awareness that men can get breast cancer too. He lived for three decades after that diagnosis and died in 2023 at age 81. His openness helped change the conversation.

The reality

According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is cancer that starts in the breast, occurring when cells there grow without control and form a tumor. Breast cancer mostly affects women, but the NCI is clear that men can get breast cancer because they also have breast tissue where cancer can start. In fact, the NCI notes that fewer than 1 in 100 breast cancers in the United States occur in men, and most male breast cancers start in the milk ducts and are called ductal cancers.

Roundtree's story is a real, powerful example of this fact — and a reminder that a lump in a man's chest is worth taking seriously.

What the story gets right — and what to remember

Roundtree's most important contribution was awareness: breast cancer can affect men, though it is uncommon. Beyond that, every case is different, and the details of any one person's treatment are individual. His experience is a reason to stay alert and to talk with a doctor about any breast changes — not a template for care. Public stories inform and encourage; they do not diagnose.

Awareness, screening & prevention

The NCI notes that routine screening mammograms are not usually recommended for men, even those at increased risk. Instead, the NCI suggests that men who may have risk factors stay alert to changes in the breast or the skin of the breast and consider regular clinical breast exams, guided by their doctor. Signs the NCI lists include a lump or thickening near the breast (the most common sign), nipple changes, or unusual skin changes. Risk factors can include older age, a family history of breast cancer, inherited BRCA gene changes, radiation to the chest, and certain conditions linked to higher estrogen levels. Many breast changes in men are not cancer, but they are worth checking.

Turning a story into something useful

Richard Roundtree turned a rare and often-hidden diagnosis into a public message, and that message saves lives by keeping men from ignoring a warning sign. Learning that breast cancer can affect men, staying alert to changes, and talking with a healthcare team are all meaningful steps. Free cancer education helps this awareness reach people who might otherwise never hear it, and supporting it keeps clear information available to everyone.

Questions to ask a healthcare team

• Can men get breast cancer, and what signs should I watch for?
• Do I have any risk factors that mean I should be more alert?
• What should I do if I notice a lump or change in my chest?
• Where can I find reliable, plain-language information about male breast cancer?