Male breast cancer survivor Tony Ryan complete charity ride

Male breast cancer survivor Tony Ryan complete charity ride Breast cancer survivor Tony Ryan has arrived in Brisbane after completing an 1800 kilometre charity ride from Mossman to Brisbane on a trike to raise money for breast cancer research and create awareness of the disease within men. The Ingham motorcycle enthusiast who lost his mother and aunts to breast cancer said most people weren’t aware that breast cancer was also a male disease. “I couldn’t believe it when I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Mr Ryan said. “I didn’t know any men who had had breast cancer and I found there’s not a lot of awareness in the community of male breast cancer.” The 56-year-old father to five girls and one boy undertook the gruelling journey with his biggest supporter, wife Frances. Queenslanders Credit Union financially assisted Mr Ryan to complete the charity ride providing him with a $500 fuel card, an outfit highlighting his cause and administrative support. Chief Executive Officer, Queenslanders Credit Union, John Weier who is no stranger to breast cancer with his wife also a survivor, said Mr Ryan has been a client of Queenslanders for more than 20 years. “At Queenslanders we believe in ‘supporting those who support us’ so with Tony part of the Queenslanders family we felt a responsibility to do the right thing and give him all the support we could,” Mr Weier said. “Whilst we could have just given him a donation we felt it was better to help facilitate what has become a very important endeavour for him. “Tony’s courage and spirit and the personal journey which he is undertaking is very much in line with the Queenslanders’ spirit and values.” Mr Ryan was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2008. Whilst his family history shows a genetic disposition to breast cancer the doctors have not found a genetic link, as yet. “When the doctors found a lump they thought it was a cyst ...even the surgeon thought it was a cyst,” Mr Ryan said. “I was shocked and confused...I couldn’t believe it!” Mr Ryan who has undergone a bilateral mastectomy, hopes some of the money raised from the charity ride will go towards further education for men and awareness of male breast cancer. “It is important to have health information targeted at men and let men know what to look for and what to do if they notice any changes with their body,” he said. Fundraising Co-ordinator at Cancer Council Queensland, Heather Martin, said Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October was the perfect time to remind men that they too can develop breast cancer and need to be as breast aware as women. “In 2006, over 2,400 women and 23 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in Queensland, it’s a health concern right across the community,” she said. “Tony is doing a great job raising awareness of male breast cancer and we really appreciate his hard work to raise funds for the Cancer Council.” Mr Ryan said if his charity ride made one male consider the need to check for breast cancer then it was a success. Donations can be made online at www.everydayhero.com.au/anthony_ryan

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