Willenhall lorry driver thanks wife after his breast cancer diagnosis

Darren Pallett said if his wife had not felt the lump, his life could be very different now

A father-of-two wants more men to know the signs of breast cancer after he underwent surgery when his wife felt a lump in his chest.

Darren Pallett, a lorry driver from Walsall, was diagnosed with stage two of the disease in June, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) said.

His wife, Fiona, had a heightened sense of touch due to profound visual impairment, the trust explained.

Mr Pallett said she was key to the early diagnosis.

"If it wasn't for my wife, I could have been in a different situation today," he said.

The 57-year-old from the Willenhall area of Walsall borough added both his sisters had had cancer, which he said made him worry even more after his initial shock.

Nurse Samantha Bullows said Mr Pallett was on a five-year recovery plan for his cancer

After the lump was removed, Mr Pallett underwent further tests which the NHS trust said came back negative.

"I want to encourage men to feel their breast area monthly as it's not spoken about enough," he said.

"It has made me more aware of cancer and how it's just as important for men to check monthly, as well as women.

"A lot of my male colleagues thought only women could get it, so raising awareness is important."

Mr Pallett was on a five-year plan for his recovery which included annual mammograms, nurse Samantha Bullows said.

Male breast cancer accounts for about 370 cases of the illness in the UK annually, according to an NHS spokesperson.

Symptoms of breast cancer in men include:

• A lump in the breast - this is usually hard, painless and does not move around within the breast

• The nipple turning inwards

• Fluid oozing from the nipple (nipple discharge), which may be streaked with blood

• A sore or rash around the nipple that does not go away

• The nipple or surrounding skin becoming hard, red or swollen

• Small bumps in the armpit (swollen glands)

(Source: NHS)