‘Now It’s Time to Heal’: ‘Michael Myers’ Actor Tyler Mane, 59, Just Wrapped Up Chemo and Radiation for Rare Male Breast Cancer and Grappling With Survivorship
‘Now It’s Time to Heal’: ‘Michael Myers’ Actor Tyler Mane, 59, Just Wrapped Up Chemo and Radiation for Rare Male Breast Cancer and Grappling With Survivorship
Tyler Mane, 59, has finished four rounds of chemotherapy and 20 rounds of radiation for male breast cancer — “ringing the bell again” — but says survivorship feels emotionally draining, leaving him “empty and exhausted” as he confronts the lingering fear of recurrence.
Male breast cancer is rare—about 2,800 cases annually compared to nearly 298,000 in women—according to the National Cancer Institute. Still, Reed’s experience underscores the importance of vigilance and education for all genders.
Symptoms of male breast cancer can include a lump in the chest 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 enlarged lymph nodes under the arm.
Experts say that treating male breast cancer is largely the same as treating female breast cancer. While men have some special considerations, treatment options depend greatly on various factors, including the size of the tumor, how far the cancer cells have spread, and biological and genetic factors that may be powering your cancer.
Taxol (paclitaxel) is a powerful chemotherapy drug known for side effects like fatigue, neuropathy, and hair loss, though Dr. Lynn P. Parker, a gynecologic oncologist at Norton Cancer Institute, emphasizes that hair typically regrows a few months after treatment ends.
Actor Tyler Mane, 59, has hit a major milestone in his fight against male breast cancer — “ringing the bell again” after completing both chemotherapy and radiation. But even with that hard‑won progress, he says the transition into survivorship feels far more complicated than he expected.
Mane, best known for embodying the terrifying force of Michael Myers, says finishing treatment has left him feeling “empty and exhausted,” and unsure how to navigate what comes next.
“Four rounds of chemo and 20 rounds of radiation and I’m done. I’m done with my cancer prevention treatment, and the question is, ‘Now what?’” he shared on Instagram.
He’s been speaking with other survivors who describe survivorship as a “time to heal” — a period to process trauma, rebuild strength, and try to move forward. But Mane admits that’s easier said than done.
“Try to put this all behind you and move on, but that’s the hardest part,” he said. “It never really leaves your mind, and you’re always wondering,” he added, referring to the fear of recurrence — the possibility that cancer could return months or years later.
Male breast cancer remains rare, with roughly 2,800 cases expected this year, compared to nearly 298,000 in women, according to the National Cancer Institute. Despite its rarity, the disease can be just as dangerous, and experts urge men to watch for chest changes such as lumps, swelling, or discomfort.
Unlike women, who benefit from routine mammograms and widespread education about breast health, men often receive little guidance about their risk. Mane hopes that by speaking openly about his diagnosis, treatment, and now survivorship, he can help close that awareness gap — and encourage more men to take symptoms seriously.
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 uses drugs designed to target specific cancer cells.
WATCH: Marc Futterweit shares his breast cancer journey.
When Marc Futterweit was told to get a mammogram by his doctor, like Roundtree, he, too, was in disbelief.
“I said, What do you mean by a mammogram?’ I don’t have breasts,” Futterweit recalled saying.
However, a second opinion from another physician confirmed Futterweit had breast cancer.
“When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t tell my wife. I thought I was holding it together,” Futterweit said.
When his family learned he was battling breast cancer, they supported him. Having a support group filled with loved ones is an important part of a cancer patient’s journey toward survivorship, according to experts SurvivorNet has spoken to.
He realized that with their support, having male breast cancer is nothing to be ashamed of.
“Men are basically standing in the shadows; they’re ashamed or embarrassed,” Futterweit says.
“Just remember, it’s nothing that you have done to cause you to get breast cancer. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s not a woman’s disease,” he continued.
Help Coping With a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
If you are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.
“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, and family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.
WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.
If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.
SurvivorNet experts suggest that patients needing a little extra help coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.
Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support, but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
Breast Cancer Symptoms & Self-Exams
Men and women are encouraged to do regular self-exams to become familiar with how their breasts and chests feel normally, so when something unusual, like a lump, does form, it can be easily detected. A self-exam includes pressing your fingertips along your breast or chest in a circular motion.
For some women, that means going to their doctor and walking through what a self-breast exam looks like, so they know what normal breast tissue feels like, so if they do feel something abnormal, whether it’s a lump or discharge from the nipple, they know what to ask and what to look for.
In the case of men, periodically checking the chest for anything unusual or painful can help detect issues worth further exploration with your doctor.
Below are common symptoms to look out for:
New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
Any change in the size or shape of the breast
Swelling of all or part of the breast
Skin dimpling or peeling
Breast or nipple pain
Nipple turning inward
Redness or scaliness of the breast or nipple skin
Nipple discharge (not associated with breastfeeding)
Coping With Chemotherapy Side Effects for Breast Cancer Treatment
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,” says Dr. Renata Urban, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.
“Neuropathy is probably one of the most challenging side effects,” says 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,” says 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.
Tips for Navigating Chemo Side Effects
When dealing with fatigue, doctors don’t have an arsenal of weapons to combat fatigue in terms of prescription medications. However, you can do several things to help minimize the hit and restore your energy.
Exercise: While it may be counterintuitive, physical activity can help alleviate side effects, especially fatigue. “Although ovarian cancer is not common, we often draw upon the experience of patients with breast cancer and colon cancer, who have shown that physical activity can not only improve quality of life but may also have beneficial impacts on cancer outcomes,” Dr. Urban says.
Eat well: Even though nausea may interfere with your ability to eat a healthy diet, it’s essential to ensure you’re eating appropriately, getting enough protein, and not losing weight. Not only will nourishing your body support your recovery, but it may also help you feel more energized.
Sleep: Want to mitigate fatigue? Be sure to maintain your regular sleep-wake cycle while on treatment. Sticking to a set sleep schedule helps reduce fatigue by ensuring enough hours for your body to heal and restore itself each night. It may also help you recover more quickly by keeping energy levels high during the daytime.
Treating Neuropathy Symptoms
Doctors have several strategies for helping patients deal with this side effect. Once a patient begins experiencing the symptoms of neuropathy, they’ll be carefully monitored to make sure it doesn’t get worse. Before each chemotherapy infusion, the attending oncologist will assess whether the symptoms have progressed. If the symptoms worsen, they may adjust the dose or delay treatment. They may also try switching to another chemotherapy drug.
How to Get a Handle on Nausea
Most of these anti-nausea medications last for more than eight hours. One of the infusions commonly used reduces the degree of nausea for up to three days.
Complementary approaches may also be helpful. A few favorites:
Ginger: Studies consistently show that ginger helps alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea. The powerful herb appears to have an anti-spasmodic effect on the gut. Not a fan of raw ginger? Suck on ginger candy, sip ginger ale, or make a steaming cup of ginger tea.
Pressure bracelets: At your local pharmacy, these bracelets provide consistent pressure on a particular acupressure point on the wrist to reduce nausea.
Deep breathing: Moving air in and out of your lungs with a few deep breaths can help relieve nausea, particularly if you pair deep breathing exercises with meditation. It can also help you relax and release stress and anxiety.
WATCH: Managing chemo side effects.
Coping with Hair Loss
If losing your hair is a concern for you before cancer treatment, know you have options like wigs, hats, wraps, and scarves, among other things.
Another option that can minimize hair loss is cryotherapy, “just a fancy way for saying cold therapy,” says Dr. Renata Urban, gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Cryotherapy involves wearing cold caps or special cooling caps before, during, and after each chemotherapy treatment
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, whether you’re a man or a woman, here are some questions you can ask your doctor to learn more about it.
What kind of breast cancer do I have?
Has the cancer spread to other parts of the body?
What stage is my cancer in?
What other tests should I seek to better understand the cancer before deciding on treatment?
What are your treatment recommendations and their likely side effects?
What other doctors can give me additional opinions?
