A man who had breast cancer is urging other men to get checked as many “don’t know they can get it”.

Mark Winter, from Polegate, was diagnosed with the illness during lockdown.

The 59-year-old, who had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, said he felt “embarrassed” about his diagnosis.

He said: “I was lucky because I caught it early and I didn’t have any major issues with sickness.

“The only thing I felt, because I’m a bloke, was embarrassment because I had a woman’s thing.”

Mark said he, like many other men, didn’t know men can get breast cancer.

 “Men are more likely to pass away because they ignore it,” he said

“Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone, speak to your doctor and get it checked.”

Now, Mark has been part of a fashion show with other people who are living with breast cancer or looking back on their illness.

The Argus: Mark Winter, far left, with other models who are living with or reflecting on their breast cancerMark Winter, far left, with other models who are living with or reflecting on their breast cancer (Image: Breast Cancer Now)

He was one of just two men among 24 people in The Show by Breast Cancer Now in central London.

The annual event, which featured both an afternoon and evening show on Thursday, was hosted by TV presenter Lisa Snowdon, who has been an ambassador for the charity since 2005.

Lisa, whose grandmother died from breast cancer when Lisa was a child, said early detection and seeking help is “key to survival”.

“I’ve always known that early detection is key,” she said.

“Asking for help, seeking medical advice, understanding your body and recognising when something doesn’t feel right.

She added that it was “unbelievable” to see the way the models in the show were “putting what they are feeling behind them” and “owning it”.

The Argus: Lisa Snowdon, who has been an ambassador for Breast Cancer Now since 2005 Lisa Snowdon, who has been an ambassador for Breast Cancer Now since 2005 (Image: Shivansh Gupta/PA)

The models wore three different outfits as they took to the catwalk amid the sounds of cheering and clapping and they ended the show by dancing together on the runway.

Mark said: “It’s still a little bit embarrassing but it’s lovely to get my head around it with all the ladies at the show.

“It’s amazing because we’ve all been through the same, but it’s all been completely different so you get the good, the bad and the ugly.

“It’s lovely to speak to everybody and just doing this is amazing.”