Celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Michelle Heaton have helped raise the profile internationally of how women have tackled breast cancer.

But it is not so widely publicised that men can also suffer from it.

Married dad-of two Bob Locke, 54, was treated for the disease after being diagnosed on February 12.

As a male breast cancer survivor, he decided to speak about his experience to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

He said: “It just felt uncomfortable to start with then I noticed a lump in my right breast in December, but it wasn’t until it started to cause me a little pain that I decided to get it checked out.

“As soon as my GP saw it they booked me an appointment at the hospital. I had an ultrasound first of all then a mammogram and a biopsy before I was diagnosed.

“When the doctor told me I wasn’t surprised. I kind of expected it as I’d looked it up on the internet and found out men could get it too. Until then I didn’t know men could get breast cancer.

“My reaction was calm, I was like ‘right let’s get it sorted’ – that’s all that was on my mind.”

Mr Locke, of Britannia Close, Milton Regis, underwent an operation on March 7 to remove the breast tissue and three or four lymph nodes to check the cancer hadn’t spread to any other parts of his body.

He completed 15 sessions of radiotherapy and is currently on a course of hormone therapy tablets to help keep the disease at bay.

The self-employed carpenter and builder, added: “I’ve now been given the all clear and I will be under the care of Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, for the next five years.

“There is a chance it could come back I’m taking tablets.

“Men should always check themselves regularly. Anyone who finds anything and feels uncomfortable should get it checked out, the sooner the better. Men can be reluctant to go to their GP but my advice is don’t put it off.”