Major Takeaways:
Kelvin Woods turned his Stage 2 male breast cancer diagnosis into a mission for awareness, advocacy, and unity.
His story challenges the stereotype that breast cancer is only a women’s disease.
Through openness, music, and community outreach, Kelvin empowers men to take charge of their health and talk openly about breast cancer.
Say His Name: Kelvin Woods Breast Cancer Awareness Story of Strength and Survival
When you meet Kelvin Woods of Oregon, you don’t see a victim, you see a victor. A man who took the words “male breast cancer” and flipped them into a rallying cry for awareness, unity, and change.
Like so many men, Kelvin never imagined the lump above his right nipple could mean cancer. “At first, I thought maybe it was a bug bite,” he said. “But it didn’t itch.” A month later, his girlfriend noticed it too, and that small moment of concern became the first step toward saving his life.
A doctor visit led to a biopsy. The diagnosis: Stage 2 male breast cancer.
Kelvin’s story didn’t stop there, it ignited there. He underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy, followed by ten years of hormone therapy. But rather than retreat into silence, he went public. He turned his story into purpose, showing men everywhere that awareness isn’t weakness, it’s strength.
“What’s the first word that comes to my mind when someone says, ‘male breast cancer?’ Victory!” Kelvin said. “For me, I just thought it was a way to raise awareness and get people talking.”
And talk he did. Through his community work, his music, and his role as a DJ at Portland’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Kelvin became a one-man campaign of courage. He wore pink ribbons with pride, sparking conversations in barbershops, gyms, and men’s groups where such topics rarely surface.
“I’ve been open and frank with my kids, friends, even strangers,” he said. “It’s important for people to know it’s possible for men to get breast cancer.”
Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all cases, but Kelvin insists rarity doesn’t mean irrelevance. His message to men, especially in the Black community, is direct and unfiltered:
“The Black male population, we’re a tough, macho group. We’re not always proactive. Don’t wait for anything in your body to go wrong, guys.”
Kelvin’s openness isn’t just about survival, it’s about rewriting the script. He wants men to see that pink is not a gender; it’s a movement. It’s a reminder that early detection saves lives, no matter who you are.
Even with ongoing treatment, Kelvin’s focus is on life, legacy, and living intentionally.
“I’ve learned to appreciate life itself, to pay more attention to family and time,” he said. “I feel like this is a calling for me.”
He’s not ashamed of his scars. He’s not hiding behind fear. He’s standing tall in awareness, and he wants the world to say his name.
Kelvin Woods is proof that breast cancer awareness isn’t just for women. It’s for all of us.
Because if it happened to him, it can happen to you.
