Killeen Man Beats Rare Male Breast Cancer, Now Helps Others

Patrick Denmon was stepping out of the shower one October morning in 2023 when he felt something unusual on his left chest. The 44-year-old Killeen resident found a lump but wasn't too worried at first.

A doctor's phone call changed everything. "I have bad news," the doctor said. "The bad news is you have breast cancer, Stage 3, triple positive."

Denmon pulled over at a stoplight, feeling everything inside him drop. He had never heard of men getting breast cancer, and for a moment, depression washed over him.

Then something shifted. "I got this question in my head: 'Who are you?'" Denmon recalled. "I was like, 'Who am I? I am a child of God.' I prayed about it as I was driving, and after that, I came back to my senses."

Male breast cancer represents less than 1% of all cancer cases in the U.S., with only about 2,670 cases expected this year. For comparison, more than 382,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025.

Denmon sought treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. "When I got there, I had the best team ever," he said.

The road to remission was tough. Chemotherapy damaged part of his heart, and radiation burned his lungs. He still battles fatigue and can no longer work, but he fills his days washing cars, grocery shopping, and spending time with his fiancée LaQuinta Bennett and their three children.

The hardest part for many cancer survivors is the fear of recurrence. For Denmon, prayer keeps him grounded and hopeful.

Why This Inspires

During his treatment, Denmon joined a support group through MD Anderson where cancer patients shared their stories over the phone. Listening to others helped him heal, and speaking up helped them too.

Now he's on a mission to spread awareness. Many men ignore breast lumps because they don't realize they can get breast cancer. They might assume it's an infection or nothing serious, giving the cancer time to grow.

"That's why I wanted to talk about this," Denmon said. "I had never heard of men getting breast cancer. It is so important to go and get checked."

His message is simple but powerful: keep the faith and keep fighting. After 19 years with LaQuinta and watching his three children grow, Denmon knows what matters most.

"You know, I'm just glad I'm still here," he said. His survival story is now helping save others.