Sunday, March 22, 2026

Father of Three ‘Shocked’ by Rare Cancer on Birthday

Jacob Johnson learned he had the BRCA2 gene in 2013 due to a family history of breast cancer, including his mother and several relatives. He thought he was doing all he could to stay healthy by getting annual mammograms. However, on his 53rd birthday in December 2025, he was diagnosed with invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC), a rare type of breast cancer.

Johnson felt shocked because he never suspected he could have cancer. Even after doctors found a mass and suggested a biopsy, he thought it would be harmless. The BRCA2 gene helps repair DNA, but mutations in it can raise the risk of certain cancers.

After his diagnosis, Johnson had a double mastectomy in January 2026. He is now undergoing chemotherapy, which is helping but also causing other health issues. His wife, Kimberly, says the hardest part for him is the physical changes he experiences.

Male breast cancer is rare and makes up less than 1% of cases in the United States. Most men do not seek treatment because they believe it won’t happen to them. Johnson urges men to pay attention to their health and seek regular check-ups, especially if they have a family history of the disease.

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
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AccentSpeed

invasive/ɪnˈveɪsɪv/adjective
spreads into nearby tissue or organs

carcinoma/ˌkɑrsəˈnoʊmə/noun
a type of cancer in body tissues

mastectomy/mæsˈtɛktəmi/noun
surgery to remove one or both breasts

chemotherapy/ˌkiːmoʊˈθɛrəpi/noun
treatment using strong drugs to kill cancer

biopsy/ˈbaɪɑpsi/noun
medical test removing tissue to check disease

mutations/mjuːˈteɪʃənz/noun
changes in genes that may cause problems

How much do you know?

What year did Jacob Johnson learn he had the BRCA2 gene?
2010
2013
2015
2018
What type of cancer was Jacob Johnson diagnosed with?
Lung cancer
Invasive micropapillary carcinoma
Prostate cancer
Skin cancer
When was Jacob Johnson diagnosed with cancer?
December 2024
December 2025
January 2026
February 2026
What procedure did Jacob Johnson undergo in January 2026?
Radiation therapy
Double mastectomy
Lumpectomy
Chemotherapy
What is the percentage of male breast cancer cases in the United States?
Less than 1%
5%
10%
15%
Who is Jacob Johnson's wife?
Alice
Kimberly
Jennifer
Rachel
Jacob Johnson was diagnosed with breast cancer on his 50th birthday.
The BRCA2 gene helps repair DNA.
Most men seeking treatment for breast cancer is common.
Jacob Johnson believes men should pay attention to their health.
Invasive micropapillary carcinoma is a common type of breast cancer.
Jacob Johnson felt confident about his health before his diagnosis.
Jacob Johnson learned he had the BRCA2 gene in 2013 due to a family history of breast cancer, including his mother and several relatives. He thought he was doing all he could to stay healthy by getting annual mammograms. However, on his 53rd birthday in December 2025, he was diagnosed with invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC), a rare type of breast cancer. The BRCA2 gene helps repair DNA, but mutations in it can raise the risk of certain cancers. Johnson had a double mastectomy in January 2026 to his cancer.
Jacob Johnson is now undergoing chemotherapy, which is helping but also causing other issues.
Male breast cancer is rare and makes up less than 1% of in the United States.
Most men do not seek treatment because they believe it won't happen to .
The hardest part for Jacob Johnson is the physical he experiences.
Jacob Johnson urges men to pay attention to their health and seek regular , especially if they have a family history of the disease.
This question is required

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
OFF
AccentSpeed
invasive/ɪnˈveɪsɪv/adjective
spreads into nearby tissue or organs
carcinoma/ˌkɑrsəˈnoʊmə/noun
a type of cancer in body tissues
mastectomy/mæsˈtɛktəmi/noun
surgery to remove one or both breasts
chemotherapy/ˌkiːmoʊˈθɛrəpi/noun
treatment using strong drugs to kill cancer
biopsy/ˈbaɪɑpsi/noun
medical test removing tissue to check disease
mutations/mjuːˈteɪʃənz/noun
changes in genes that may cause problems

How much do you know?

What year did Jacob Johnson learn he had the BRCA2 gene?
2010
2013
2015
2018
What type of cancer was Jacob Johnson diagnosed with?
Lung cancer
Invasive micropapillary carcinoma
Prostate cancer
Skin cancer
When was Jacob Johnson diagnosed with cancer?
December 2024
December 2025
January 2026
February 2026
What procedure did Jacob Johnson undergo in January 2026?
Radiation therapy
Double mastectomy
Lumpectomy
Chemotherapy
What is the percentage of male breast cancer cases in the United States?
Less than 1%
5%
10%
15%
Who is Jacob Johnson's wife?
Alice
Kimberly
Jennifer
Rachel
Jacob Johnson was diagnosed with breast cancer on his 50th birthday.
The BRCA2 gene helps repair DNA.
Most men seeking treatment for breast cancer is common.
Jacob Johnson believes men should pay attention to their health.
Invasive micropapillary carcinoma is a common type of breast cancer.
Jacob Johnson felt confident about his health before his diagnosis.
Jacob Johnson learned he had the BRCA2 gene in 2013 due to a family history of breast cancer, including his mother and several relatives. He thought he was doing all he could to stay healthy by getting annual mammograms. However, on his 53rd birthday in December 2025, he was diagnosed with invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC), a rare type of breast cancer. The BRCA2 gene helps repair DNA, but mutations in it can raise the risk of certain cancers. Johnson had a double mastectomy in January 2026 to his cancer.
Jacob Johnson is now undergoing chemotherapy, which is helping but also causing other issues.
Male breast cancer is rare and makes up less than 1% of in the United States.
Most men do not seek treatment because they believe it won't happen to .
The hardest part for Jacob Johnson is the physical he experiences.
Jacob Johnson urges men to pay attention to their health and seek regular , especially if they have a family history of the disease.
This question is required

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