A father's determination to raise awareness about male breast cancer will be on full display at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year. Alan Wake, 59, from Sheffield, was diagnosed with the condition in April 2025 and is now preparing to take to the stage with his unique comedy show 'Manogram – a man with breast cancer'. The show aims to tackle the stigma surrounding male breast cancer and raise vital funds for cancer charities.
Mr Wake's personal journey with cancer is deeply intertwined with his family's experience. His wife, Julie, was diagnosed with breast cancer twice – first in 2013 and again just a year before his own diagnosis. He describes their frequent visits to the breast care clinic as akin to having "season tickets". The father-of-two discovered a lump that appeared rapidly, describing it as having "two nipples on one side." This news was particularly challenging for their sons, now in their twenties, who had already faced the prospect of losing both parents when Mr Wake suffered a heart attack during his wife's initial chemotherapy treatment.
Male breast cancer is a rare condition, affecting approximately 400 men in the UK each year (Breast Cancer UK). In contrast, almost 60,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Despite its rarity, Mr Wake found humour in his experiences, using conversations and situations recorded on his phone as the basis for his 45-minute stand-up set. He enlisted the help of comedian Terence Hartnett to refine his material and prepare for the month-long run.
Mr Wake acknowledges that breast cancer has a different impact on men than women, particularly in terms of societal perceptions of physical changes. While he notes that walking topless around a pool without drawing attention is common after a mastectomy, this would not be the case for a woman with a similar scar. He also highlights that losing hair from chemotherapy is less impactful for men as they are less likely to draw attention than a bald woman. Currently, Mr Wake is on hormone tablets for the next decade, which have resulted in symptoms akin to the menopause, including hot flushes and mood swings.
Mr Wake's decision to book an 80-seater venue for his show, with all proceeds donated to cancer charities, may seem unconventional, but it reflects his history of spontaneous decisions. He has already performed a successful warm-up gig for colleagues in Manchester and plans another practice show in Sheffield before heading to Edinburgh.
Source: Breast Cancer UK