How ‘X-Men’ Actor & Former Professional Wrestler Tyler Mane, 59, Is Navigating Chemotherapy & Encouraging Others Not to Ignore Their Health

He told Rahhal, “My father’s heart attack was one of the reasons I started my health journey. I also lost my brother to a massive heart attack in March. Apparently, he’d been having health issues for quite some time, but he wouldn’t talk to me about it. Doctors were able to resuscitate him, and he was alive, in a coma, for about a week after his heart attack. So I immediately got on a plane to go to him.

“Seeing my brother lying there and realizing that his chances were not looking good, I had a lot of regrets. I didn’t talk to him as much as I should have, and we didn’t spend as much time together as I would have liked. Before his death, it was just us in the immediate family—and now it’s just me.”

Mane continued, “That’s why my wife and I are doing our podcast, ‘Mane AF,’  which deals with midlife, marriage and mayhem, and all this cancer stuff and the loss of family members—including my wife’s father, recently—and going through my divorce before marrying Renae.

“Just being able to tell people about it instead of hiding it is so important to me. If I can help someone else catch and get ahead of their health issues, I want to do that. Whether it’s male breast cancer, any other kind of cancer, or any kind of illness—get ahead of it, get on top of it, you’ve got to stay in the fight.

It’s important to note that male breast cancer is rare, according to the National Cancer Institute— but it can be just as serious. Experts urge men to pay attention to changes such as lumps, swelling, or discomfort, especially since men aren’t routinely screened the way women are.

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Mane, who also recently learned he carries a BRCA2 mutation, a genetic change that can increase the risk of developing certain cancers, further explained, “My brother’s death was a real and sudden loss for me. I realized that I don’t want to do that to my kids or to anyone else. It’s the kind of thing that happens in midlife, and it makes you realize that you have to face things head-on. It was a wake-up call that I needed to answer.

RELATED: Beyonce’s Father, Mathew Knowles, Survived Breast Cancer: ‘I Want To Save Lives – Especially In The Black Community’

“I’ve skirted a lot of wake-up calls throughout my life. But this one I knew I had to answer: for my family, my wife, my kids and for everyone who’s close and dear to me.”

His breast cancer was diagnosed at an early stage—Stage 1—meaning it was caught before it had advanced further.

“Men usually don’t notice the signs or don’t quickly treat breast cancer. By the time it’s diagnosed, it is often stage 3 or 4, metastasized throughout their bodies, and then it becomes a whole different thing,” Mane added.

RELATED: Michael Singer says men tend to ignore breast cancer symptoms because they’re embarrassed to ask a doctor about a ‘woman’s disease’

“But mine was an aggressive type of breast cancer and met the benchmark for needing chemotherapy after surgery. The tumor was also 28 millimeters with a margin of less than a millimeter. That’s why I now have to have chemotherapy and radiation. And let me tell you: Chemotherapy is not fun. But it is a necessity.”

As for how he’s navigating chemotherapy, Mane has been documenting his experience on Instagram, sharing videos that show how he prepares for treatments and how the process has impacted him.

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He has shared glimpses of his chemotherapy journey, from using ice pack mittens and advising others to keep snacks on hand, to coping with side effects like disrupted sleep, appetite changes, hair loss (including in his beard), and occasional diarrhea managed with Imodium, an over-the-counter medication used to relieve this symptom.

Alongside one of his videos, he wrote, “Round 2 chemo update! Hives showed up. The itching has been relentless. But the fight continues. Tyler’s second round of chemotherapy is officially in the books.

“On MANE AF, we’ll be sharing a much deeper look into Tyler’s cancer journey. The physical and emotional challenges, the unexpected side effects, the lessons we’re learning along the way, and the conversations that don’t happen often enough when life changes in an instant. Every round brings a new challenge, but it also brings a new reason to keep fighting. …If this resonates with you, don’t forget to like, comment, share, and follow along. MANE AF with Tyler & Renae is coming soon.”

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Better Understanding Male Breast Cancer & The BRCA Mutation

Like women, men have breast tissue and can develop breast cancer. Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast start growing out of control, typically forming a tumor that’s felt as a lump.

WATCH: Men Get Breast Cancer Too

A man’s risk of developing breast cancer may be higher if there’s a history of breast cancer in the family. Typically, male breast cancer manifests as lumps in the chest area. Factors like a patient’s race can impact the prognosis.

Five types of standard treatment are used to treat breast cancer in men:

• Surgery for breast cancer in men mirrors the procedure in women. A modified radical mastectomy removes the whole breast with cancer. The result may involve removing the nipple, according to the National Cancer Institute.
• Chemotherapy involves cancer-killing drugs to prevent the cancer cells from growing. Chemo drugs are usually taken orally or intravenously.
• Hormone therapy involves removing hormones or blocking their ability to help cancer cells grow.
• In radiation therapy, high-energy beams such as X-rays are aimed at cancer cells to kill them.
• Targeted therapy treatment uses drugs designed to target specific cancer cells.

As for the BRCA2 gene mutation, which Mane has confirmed he has, it’s one of two — BRCA1 and BRCA2 – gene mutations linked to an increased risk of multiple types of cancer — most notably, breast and ovarian cancer in women. In men, gene mutations can increase the risk of prostate cancer and breast cancer. In both men and women, they increase pancreatic and stomach cancer risk.

RELATED: Should I Get Genetic Testing to Assess My Risk for Cancer?

“A BRCA mutation is a defect in your ability to repair a double-strand break (in your DNA),” Dr. Rebecca Arend, Associate Scientist at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, previously told SurvivorNet, When the BRCA gene has a mutation, cells have a tougher time repairing their DNA — and the damaged DNA can lead to cancer.

It’s important to understand that the BRCA mutation is not a “women-only” gene. Because BRCA mutations aren’t tied to the X or Y sex chromosome, you’re just as likely to inherit the mutation from your father as you are from your mother. Ethnicity also plays a role in how likely someone is to have a BRCA mutation.

Studies have found a higher prevalence of the mutations among people with African ancestries and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent than among those in the general U.S. population. “Genetic testing can empower you with such important information,” Dr. Beth Karlan, gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Medical Center, told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.

Dr. Ophira Ginsburg of NYU spoke with SurvivorNet about who should get genetic testing to determine their breast cancer risk

Women with an inherited BRCA gene mutation have a much higher risk of getting breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and cancer of the fallopian tubes. Given those heightened risk factors, women with BRCA mutations have several decisions to make. Some women choose to go the “Angelina Jolie route” and have both of their breasts removed as a preventative measure (called a “prophylactic mastectomy“).  This procedure can reduce risk by up to 95 percent.

The fact that Beyonce and Solange don’t have the BRCA2 mutation means that they don’t have the high, 69 percent chance of getting breast cancer. But, like all of us, they should still follow the screening guidelines that other women follow, such as getting annual mammograms.

Possible Risk Factors for Male Breast Cancer:

• Age. Breast cancer risk increases with age, and most cancers are found in patients over 50. The average age of a man diagnosed with breast cancer is 72.
• Family history. Men with close blood relatives who have had breast cancer are at higher risk for the disease.
• Genetic mutations. Patients may inherit gene defects that make them more susceptible to breast cancer. Men with a mutation in the BRCA2 gene have a 6 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, and men with a mutation in the BRCA1 gene have a 1 percent lifetime risk. These gene mutations are most commonly found in families with strong histories of breast or ovarian cancer, but they have also been found in male breast cancer patients without a family history.
• Klinefelter syndrome. Men with Klinefelter syndrome are born with at least one extra X chromosome which may increase a man’s breast cancer risk by producing high levels of estrogen (a hormone responsible for female sex characteristics) and low levels of androgens (hormones responsible for male sex characteristics). This condition affects about 1 in 1,000 men, and can raise the risk of breast cancer by 20 60 times that of the general population.
• Hormone therapy. Men who have been treated with drugs containing estrogen are at a greater breast cancer risk. These drugs were once used to treat prostate cancer, and they are still used in sex reassignment processes.
• Conditions affecting the testicles. Testicle injuries, swelling or removal surgery can increase a man’s risk for the disease by disrupting normal hormone levels.
• Liver disease. Diseases that impede the liver (like cirrhosis) may raise men’s estrogen production and lower their androgen levels, therefore, increasing breast cancer risk.
• Alcohol. Heavy drinking is known to raise the risk of breast cancer (which may be related to alcohol’s effect on the liver).
• Radiation therapy. Men who have received radiation therapy to their chests (for conditions like lymphoma) have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
• Obesity. Fat cells can transform androgens into estrogens, boosting the possibility of an overweight man developing breast cancer.

If any of the above risk factors applies to you, consult your doctor and feel free to ask questions. While it’s true that men can work to lower their breast cancer risk by exercising and maintaining a healthy bodyweight, the most important element of effective cancer treatment is an early diagnosis.

Symptoms of Male Breast Cancer Can Include:

• A lump developed in the breast (usually painless), or a thickening in the breast tissue
• Nipple pain
• An inverted nipple
• Discharge from the nipple, which may be clear or bloody
• Changes to the color or texture of the nipple and areola
• Changes to the color or texture of skin on the chest
• Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm

If You Feel Something, Say Something Men Ignore Symptoms Too Often

Treatment for male breast cancer is largely the same as female breast cancer. A person’s options depend greatly on a variety of factors, including the size of the tumor and how far the cancer cells have spread, but possibilities include surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy.

When to Screen for Breast Cancer

The medical community has a broad consensus that women should have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is saying that women should now start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.

The American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year for women 55 and older. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.

WATCH: Mammograms are still the best tool for detecting breast cancer.

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.

Experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.

Regular Self-Exams Are Helpful In Between Mammograms

A self-breast exam is an easy way to monitor your breasts for abnormalities. It involves feeling the breast for swelling, bulging, or changes in the shape of the breast or nipple.

WATCH: How to perform a self-exam.

Checking for signs of redness, rashes, or discharge is also part of this exam. If anything is found that is concerning, you should contact your doctor. It’s important to note that self-exams should be done with regular mammograms.

Coping With Chemotherapy Side Effects

Chemotherapy is an effective tool for oncologists to help treat cancer by stopping cancerous cells from growing, dividing, and spreading to other organs. Chemo works by traveling through the bloodstream, killing cancerous cells. However, healthy cells are also impacted in the process, leading to side effects.

Patients almost universally experience fatigue, often alongside gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea. Doctors have many effective medications to combat chemo-induced nausea. “But mitigating that fatigue often depends on the patient,” Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle, told us in an earlier interview.

“Neuropathy is probably one of the most challenging side effects,” said Dr. Urban. Neuropathy results from damage to the peripheral nerves. It usually resolves after chemotherapy treatment, but sometimes symptoms can persist. While it’s typically characterized by numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation in the hands and feet, neuropathy can have several different symptoms, including:

• Weakness in the hands or feet
• Stabbing or burning pain in the hands or feet
• Difficulty gripping, such as when holding a fork
• Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as writing or buttoning a shirt

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy. When chemotherapy affects the rapidly dividing cells in the lining of the stomach, the resulting cellular havoc in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to side effects such as nausea and vomiting. However, doctors can help patients mitigate the hit with various medications before, during, and after treatment.

“Part of the chemotherapy prescription includes a set regimen of anti-nausea medications,” said Dr. Urban. “We also ensure that patients have medications at home that they can use should they develop nausea after treatment.”

Hair loss is another side effect of chemotherapy.

WATCH: Coping with hair loss.

“For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. To start with, the dread of losing one’s hair can lead to some sleepless nights and feelings of anxiety,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, told SurvivorNet.

Chemotherapy can cause hair loss. It usually begins about three to four weeks after chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment.

It happens because this treatment targets quickly dividing cells throughout the body. That includes cancer cells but also hair cells.

Most patients can expect regrowth four to six weeks after treatment. However, it is possible that when your hair grows back, you may notice some changes in its color and texture.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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