Darren uses his personal breast cancer experience to supports Asda Tickled Pink

"Being a being a man and hearing the words 'you've got breast cancer' is a proper, proper shock" – the words of Asda Cannock customer Darren Pallet, who's a big advocate for our Tickled Pink campaign.

Darren, who's 60, is a regular at our store's Tickled Pink fundraising and awareness events where he's always happy to chat to customers and colleagues about his experience and offer advice to anyone who needs it.

He was diagnosed with grade two invasive ductal cancer in June 2023, just four days after his wife Fiona felt a lump in his chest when he was lying down. She is registered blind and has a heightened sense of touch.

Darren said: "She just said, 'what's that next to your nipple?' It was the size of a pea. I was being a typical male and said it would be cyst, it would be nothing. It was a Sunday and she told me to call the doctor the next day, but I didn't. She rang the doctor herself on the Tuesday morning and I was in the same day. Two days later I was in New Cross Hospital's breast care unit where I had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies.

"Two weeks later I went back and I was told I had invasive ductal cancer, but luckily it hadn't got to my lymph nodes.

"It was just a massive shock. I'd heard of men getting breast cancer, but hadn't really taken it in. It's something like 55,000 woman a year in the UK get breast cancer, for men it's less than 400. It is rare, but it does happen."

Darren had a full left mastectomy on August 1. He said: "I think in a way I've been really lucky as from finding my lump to my op it was only six weeks. I am one of the very lucky few who haven't had to have chemotherapy or radiotherapy, I'm just on Tamoxifen for five years."

Darren and Fiona have been married 40 years this year, and they have two sons Ryan and Brandon and an eight-year-old granddaughter, Lacey.

To highlight male breast cancer Darren completed a motorbike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats and raised £4,000 for Breast Cancer Now and he's also appeared on the Lorraine TV show. He also has his own Facebook page, Men Too Breast Cancer.

Darren, a retired HGV driver, said: "I think Tickled Pink is great for raising awareness, and gets the breast cancer message out there. It's so important to check your chest – for both men and women. Ninety-nine per cent of the time it's going to be nothing, but it's best to check. Know your norm! Early diagnosis is key – it worked for me."

Asda Cannock community champion Sue Westmancoat said: "It's great having Darren at our events, where he's able to give a male perspective on breast cancer. It really brings it home that breast cancer doesn't discriminate, both men and women can get it.

"Last year, a customer approached him and told him about his concerns about a lump he'd found on his upper chest. Darren chatted to him and advised him to see his GP. He told the customer about his treatment journey and even showed him his surgery scar."

• Asda Tickled Pink is the partnership between Asda, Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel! and this year we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary! That’s 30 years of reminding more people to check their boobs, pecs or chests. 30 years of helping more people find breast health information and support when they need it. And 30 years of raising money that powers world-class research, vital education and life-changing support.