Former Buc, New Tampa Resident Takes Breast Cancer Battle Public

CARROLLWOOD, FL – After being diagnosed with breast cancer, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Paul Dombroski is leading the charge to create a Breast Wellness Centre at Florida Hospital Carrollwood and raise awareness of the prevalence of breast cancer in men.

To promote both causes, Dombroski and Florida Hospital breast surgeon Dr. Nicole Figueredo will host a free breast cancer seminar at Buccaneers' headquarters, One Buc Place, on July 17 at 6 p.m.

At the seminar, Figueredo and Dombroski with talk about breast cancer in men as well as unveil renderings of the proposed $6 million Florida Hospital Carrollwood breast cancer center.

Dombroski, 59, played pro football from 1980 to 1985 with the New England Patriots, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring and joining his wife, Caron, as a stylist at their popular New Tampa salon, The Style Council.

In 2013, he was sitting on his couch watching TV when he began to yawn. As he yawned, Dombroski said he ran his hand down his chest.

“I felt a lump,” Dombroski said. Doctors confirmed what Dombroski knew in his heart because his family has a history of breast cancer. He had invasive ductal carcinoma.

Five years later, after surgery and an extensive treatment regimen, Dombroski has made it his mission to educate men and women about the disease.

“God has given me these opportunities. I’m going to make sure I don’t squander them,” he said.

Breast cancer is most prevalent in women due to the simple fact that women have more breast tissue.
But even the small amount of breast tissue beneath a man’s nipples can develop cancer.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2,550 men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. An estimated 480 of those men will die.

Because breast cancer impacts less than 1 percent of the male population, Dombrowski said men rarely get screened and often do not realize they have the disease until it’s too late.

His message to men who are afraid to be screened because they think breast cancer is only a women’s disease: "Man up. I had to man up with breast cancer. If you suspect something, you have to act on it."
When it comes to breast cancer, the earlier it’s detected, the better the survival rate, Dombrowski said. He’s convinced that he’s alive today due to an early diagnosis.

As a former football player accustomed to being around men with macho mentalities, Dombrowski said it was uncomfortable to admit he had a disease that is more common in women.

“As a male, breast cancer is really not on our radar,” he said.

It didn’t help that the national breast cancer color is pink.

He recalled going to meet his breast cancer surgeon and being ushered into an exam room where a pink gown was laid out for him.

During that period, Dombroski didn’t tell a lot of people about his breast cancer. Not only was there a perceived stigma about males having breast cancer, but he's always been a private person and doesn't like to burden others with his problems.

Nevertheless, as he’d hear women clients at his salon discussing their battles with breast cancer, he began to reconsider going public. With his notoriety as a former NFL player, he knew that sharing his story could sway other men to get breast cancer screenings.

“It’s very difficult to get guys to admit these things and search out resources for help,” Dombroski said. "Hopefully I can help change the dialogue among men that you have to talk about it and be aware of it."

Once his story was out, Dombroski was inundated with opportunities to spread the word.

He’s shared his story at educational seminars, gotten involved in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and is now spearheading a major effort that’s become near and dear to his heart.

Dombroski has joined forces with the not-for-profit Foundation at Florida Hospital Carrollwood to raise funds to open the hospital’s Breast Wellness Centre.

“It would take over 10,000 square feet of existing space and offer cutting-edge treatments to cancer patients in Tampa Bay,” said Dombroski.

Plans call for the $6 million center to be equipped with the latest technology for diagnosing and treating breast cancer including stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound, ultrasound-guided breast biopsy, 3D mammography, bone density scans, consult rooms, offices, as well as spa and boutique services.

“The Breast Wellness Centre will be a thoughtfully designed space where men and women will receive the dedicated care they need in a holistic and healing environment,” said Tony LaForgia, executive director of the Florida Hospital Carrollwood Foundation.

To learn more or donate funds to support the construction of the Florida Hospital Carrollwood Foundation’s Breast Wellness Centre, visit the foundation’s donation page.

To register for the July 17 seminar, click here.

Images via Florida Hospital and the Players Trust

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