54-year-old Frank Fling fell in love with the jewelry trade at an early age.
He worked 25 years for Friedman Jewelers before a stroke forced him to retire.
Then Frank started doing more of what he enjoys.
"I enjoy going to the beach and walking on the beach."
The son of a World War Two Veteran also plays a role supporting our local soldiers by sending them care packages.
One role he never expected to play is a breast cancer survivor.
Frank says watching WSAV's Buddy Check 3 got him wondering.
"I called one of the operators and they said yes that men can get it too.
And it's something that most out there in the public that they don't know about, but I am thankful That you put it out there and so I started a self examination, and I found a lump right on the areola."
Frank was fortunate to have a doctor who didn't dismiss his concerns.
"My mind was saying oh it's gonna be a cyst or something...something simple."
A mammogram confirmed breast cancer which led to surgery.
"When he removed it with the first operation he found that it had cancer tendrils running from it.
The tumor itself was benign, but the tendrils leading off of it were cancerous."
4 months later he's feeling great and enjoying life as a breast cancer survivor and wants his case to be a good lesson for men.
"What I want to do is make sure men realize that it's not a female condition it's a human condition and they need to man up and check themselves out and get to a doctor."
It's a smart action that saved Frank's life.
"I want to thank you...WSAV because without you pushing and putting in the forefront the information I would never have known what to do."
Early detection could save your life too.
Frank credits Dr. Christopher Oldfield with sending him to get a mammogram
And Oncologist Dr. Jeffery Mandel for removing the tumor. Frank says he continues his monthly breast self exams and encourages his friends to perform the BSE too.
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