NEED TO KNOW
-
In 2013, Jacob Johnson learned he carried the BRCA2 gene due to a strong family history of breast cancer.
-
More than a decade later, at 53, Johnson was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of cancer in his right breast.
-
He talked about the significance of early genetic testing and regular screenings for both men and women.
Jacob Johnson discovered he had the BRCA2 gene mutation in 2013 after undergoing testing prompted by a notable history of breast cancer among his relatives, including his mother and several aunts. He thought he was proactive about his health, consistently keeping up with annual mammograms. However, in December 2025, on his 53rd birthday, he received the shocking diagnosis of invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC), a rare and aggressive subtype of breast cancer.
“I was really taken aback. I walked into the mammogram almost dismissively; it didn’t feel like breast cancer was something I had to worry about,” Johnson recalled. “Even after they found the mass and suggested a biopsy, I thought it would end up being benign.”
As noted by the National Cancer Institute, “BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that produce proteins vital for repairing damaged DNA.” A mutation in the BRCA2 gene dramatically increases the risk of specific cancers since the body struggles to fix DNA damage.
After his diagnosis, Johnson underwent a double mastectomy in January 2026 and is currently in his first round of chemotherapy. He mentioned, “The treatments are manageable, but it’s tough to wrap my head around the extent of what I need to go through. The most challenging part is knowing that while this medication is curing me, it’s also causing other issues in my body.”
Being treated with Cytoxan and doxorubicin — often called the “red devil” drug — has left him anxious about potential bone tissue loss and other side effects from chemotherapy.
Johnson’s wife, Kimberly, expressed that the most challenging aspect for him has been the physical changes he’s experiencing. “He was very active before cancer, and not being able to interact with our kids the way he used to has been really difficult for him.”
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, male breast cancer is very uncommon, representing less than 1% of breast cancer cases in the U.S., while 1 in 8 women will face a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Johnson feels this statistic contributes to men ignoring potential symptoms, adopting an “out of sight, out of mind” mindset. He urges men to pay attention to any changes in their bodies and to prioritize preventative care, especially if there’s a family history of cancer.
“Taking charge of your health can genuinely make the difference between treating a curable condition and facing something terminal,” he emphasized.
Kimberly is actively spreading awareness about male breast cancer and the need for early detection by sharing Jacob’s journey on TikTok, hoping to reach someone who may need that message. “Many people don’t realize that men can get breast cancer, and I want to change that narrative,” she noted. “It’s rare, but it’s a reality, and a lot of men discover it only when it’s advanced.”
This experience has made Kimberly more vigilant about her own health, leading her to schedule a mammogram once she turned 40. The couple plans to have their youngest children tested for breast cancer when they turn 18. Fortunately, their eldest daughter, who is now 23, has already been tested and is negative.
When discussing advice, Johnson emphasizes the importance of probing family history and consulting with doctors. “My mom worked hard to trace our family medical history and wasn’t hesitant to advocate for testing when it wasn’t common. Her determination motivated me to get tested, and it truly saved my life,” he reflected. “The doctor told me that if we’d waited for a few months until the lump was noticeable, it wouldn’t have been curable.”
