"If I had ignored it, it would have gone deeper into my body”

Michael McGrath never realised that men could get breast cancer, prior to his own diagnosis. He talks to Helen O'Callaghan

Michael McGrath with his dog Sheley at home,  near Mitchelstown, Co Cork. Michael is very grateful to CUH medical staff for their timely treatment of his breast cancer.  Pictures: David Keane

Michael McGrath first noticed his right nipple was a little painful in 2019.

“Not all the time, but when it rubbed against clothes, or in water when I was in the shower. I was aware of it. Then, it seemed to go away for a while but it came back. I showed it to my wife, Pauline, and of course, a woman’s answer is always to go to the doctor,” says the 80-year-old, a retired maintenance fitter and father of three, who lives near Mitchelstown, Co Cork.