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Midwest City, Oklahoma

When Kevin Browner of Midwest City was informed last year he was a "rare medical specimen,” who could blame him for being shocked, frightened, angered and asking both "How?” and "Why me?"
Browner, 37, was diagnosed with breast cancer — a malignant disease uncommon in men.

An estimated 2,200 Oklahoma women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and about 510 women are expected to die from it, according to the American Cancer Society. About 15 Oklahoma men will be diagnosed this year with breast cancer; four will die.

Nationally, about 181,600 American women are diagnosed annually with breast cancer, with 41,619 deaths. About 1,825 American men are diagnosed annually, with 379 deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some risk factors do exist, including age, family history, radiation exposure and obesity.

Browner said he has no family history of cancer.

"Although certain risk factors may increase a man's chances of developing breast cancer, the cause of most breast cancers in men is unknown,” said Kristen Taylor, spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society in Oklahoma.

Anne Bliss, cancer epidemiologist with the state Health Department, concurs. "Currently, no one knows the exact causes of either male or female breast cancer,” she said.

Browner certainly couldn't understand what was happening to him.

"I was totally thrown for a loop. I couldn't believe breast cancer got males, and I could be a breast cancer patient at a young age with my whole life ahead of me,” he said.

An oncologist at the Cancer Treatment Centers of Oklahoma in Midwest City told Browner and his wife, Cemelle Browner, that he had never had a male breast cancer patient in 23 years. If it does occur in men, they are at least 60, Browner was told.

After the initial jolt, Browner began a tough treatment regimen well-known to thousands of Oklahoma women who have had to fight breast cancer. He has the scars to prove it.

Brower had a mastectomy of his right breast.

Then came chemotherapy, and Browner had all the typical side effects: nausea, vomiting, hair loss, weight loss, fatigue and forgetfulness.

Now he's undergoing radiation therapy — once a day for seven weeks.

He will take the anti-cancer drug Herceptin for five years.

Browner works as an operator of the waste water treatment plant in Del City.

He's had that job for three years, and a doctor has told Browner his position couldn't have contributed to his breast cancer.

He's married with two children.

He attended high school in the Putnam City district, but he graduated from Tulsa Central High School.

Believing in a full recovery for himself, Browner now is particularly concerned that men and women do more to prevent and detect breast cancer.

Cemelle Browner says her husband's ordeal may save other lives.

"Breast cancer in men is so uncommon, and that's why it goes undiagnosed for so long,” she said.

Kevin Browner said it took too long for doctors treating him in 2006 to correctly diagnose that the cyst, lump or knot he detected under this right armpit actually was developing into breast cancer.

The malignancy spread into his lymph nodes.

"God has a reason for this, and it may have been to teach other men to get examinations, and get a second opinion if necessary,” Browner said.

"My life is in God's hands. I believe this all has made me a better, more caring person.”

Browner said he's prayed through all of his many cancer treatment sessions.

"I'm determined to live a full, active life for many years to come,” he said.

"Really, you have no choice. You have to fight for your life, and cherish each day as if it was your last.”

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