A MAN has resorted to major surgery in a bid to protect himself from the cancer that claimed the lives of four members of his family.

Lorry driver Ian Bentley, 40, had a double mastectomy after he lost his mother, grandmother, aunt and brother to breast cancer.

His grandmother Esther died of the disease at the age of 46 before Ian was born but no link was made until the cancer claimed the lives of his mum Ann and aunt Frances.

Ian, who lives off Moss Lane, Macclesfield, said: "After we lost our mum and aunt, my brother Kevin and I began to worry about our sister Alison and were expecting a phone call to say that she too had cancer.

"It was a total shock when we received the call to say Kevin had the disease. I didn't even know at that stage that men could get breast cancer."

Kevin, who was also a lorry driver, was diagnosed with the disease in 1999 after going for a routine check-up.

Dad-of-two Ian said: "Kevin had been doing some work on the lorry and accidentally knocked his breast.

"He noticed that it hurt more than he had expected and when he examined the area found a pea-sized lump behind his nipple.

"He'd also been experiencing itchiness in the area so went for a check up and was diagnosed with the cancer.

"The initial outlook was good but 18 months after treatment secondary cancers were discovered and Kevin died in April 2002 at the age of 39 following complications.

"Although he talked to everyone else about what he was going through he never talked to me.

"I think that was because we were so close and also maybe because he was embarrassed.

"A common problem with men is that they don't talk about things like this. Women have a network in the sense that they talk to their friends about these issues and the medical system is geared to meet their needs.

"Men talk about the football and often feel embarrassed to talk about disease and other personal issues.

"Now I talk openly with my friends about breast cancer as I think it's important for men to be aware."

Ian's sister Alison, 38, from Prestbury, was also diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2003 and has just completed her course of treatment.

Ian added: "Alison went for regular check ups as there was a history of the disease in our family but that option wasn't there for me.

"I went with her for one check-up and spoke to a specialist who told me the pros and cons of having a mastectomy as a preventative measure.

"He said that if I had my breast tissue removed my chances of getting the disease would be less than for people with no history of breast cancer in their family.

"It was a major operation and it wouldn't be everyone's favoured choice but it gave me piece of mind.

"We'd had blood tests done to see if our family carried the genes that can cause breast cancer but they proved inconclusive and I had a mammogram done but the machines are designed for women and it was hard to get an accurate reading.

"After the operation the tissue removed was tested and there were no pre-cancerous cells which reassured me."

Now Ian is focused on the future and spending time with his wife Angie, 40, their children James, 20, and Sarah, 15, and the family boxer dog, Freddie.

He said: "My family have been very supportive, as have my friends and work colleagues at Jewsons in Macclesfield.

"I don't want my children to worry as they are only young but I want everyone, especially men, to be aware of breast cancer and to seek help if they notice any changes to their breast tissue."

The family are backing The Genesis Appeal, which is seeking £10 million to build Europe's first breast cancer prevention centre at Wythenshawe Hospital.

To find out more about the appeal call 08700 623 000.