Podber Shares About Beating Breast Cancer

On a Sunday in June 2024, Morris Podber rubbed his watch against his breast and felt a sharp pain. He performed a self-examination and discovered a lump. He immediately called his primary physician and got a next-day appointment. Podber’s circuitous journey began there.

After the next day exam, the doctor pulled out his cell phone and called his surgeon friend, who told Podber that he would set up a mammogram and ultrasound for the next day, and the office would call with the time and place.

Podber explained, “The radiologist who read the mammogram and ultrasound told me that the lump had been there on previous chest x-rays, not to worry. So, I cancelled the appointment with the surgeon. The surgeon was not happy and notified the physician, and they both insisted I come in anyway.”

Podber saw the surgeon the next day. After an exam, the surgeon advised keeping a watchful eye and recommended genetic testing. All indications were that the lump was benign, although Podber’s mother, cousin, and uncle all had breast cancer. The latter died of breast cancer in 1991. Even though genetic testing showed no known genes, it can be limited; and a negative result doesn’t always rule out a genetic cause.

Podber explained, “There seems to be limitations of the specific test panel used and the possibility of an unknown or undiscovered gene causing my breast cancer.”

On July 5, the surgeon called and relayed that due to family history and a “gut feeling,” that he and the geneticist recommended removing the lump. On July 19, Podber had the lump removed. Ten days later, he was called with the results. To Podber’s surprise, “It was indeed cancer, a 1.5 cm infiltrating ductal carcinoma with no positive lymph nodes. The doctor was totally shocked, as I was. I was relieved and thankful for the surgeon’s persistence, although I was not expecting this outcome after the radiologist’s report and the genetic testing. I would now have to go back for a second surgery for a mastectomy to be scheduled in August. Once I was diagnosed, I reached out to my brothers and cousins to let them know of my diagnosis, and that they should be checked periodically.”

Two weeks later, Podber had his first appointment with his oncologist and found out that he did not need radiation or chemotherapy. He now takes an anti-hormone drug, tamoxifen, and will for at least the next four years.

Podber’s compelling message is, “To you men out there, I recommend that you check yourself. According to the American Cancer Society, less than one percent of breast cancers occur in men. Primarily seen as a woman’s disease, men may sometimes ignore symptoms resulting in later stage diagnosis and potentially worse outcomes. Although survival for male breast cancer patients has improved, the prognosis for men has not advanced as much as it has for women. Research has shown that most breast cancers in men are not caused by inherited factors. As for me, knowing my family history, it was informative and helped guide the decisions of the surgeon and the geneticist. Treatment in men is much the same as treatment in women with chemotherapy, radiation, and anti-hormone drugs. I currently see my oncologist once every six months and the surgeon once a year with mammograms and ultrasounds once a year.”

Podber is grateful that he did not have to go through chemotherapy or radiation, although he’s aware of those who did have more challenging treatments. He concluded, “Some have survived and some did not win the fight. I want to sincerely acknowledge those who went through treatment and those who lost the battle. In times of difficulty, relying on family, friends, community, and being open with my diagnosis, provided me with strength and reinforced my faith and helped me to get thru this shock of having cancer.”

Podber was the featured speaker in October at the Ahavath Achim “Pink” Shabbat highlighting cancer awareness. Morris, 74, is married to Ann Velkoff Podber and has two adult children, Adam and Rachel. An Atlanta native and child of Holocaust survivors, Podber grew up in Morningside attended Morningside Elementary, Grady High, and Congregation Shearith Israel. Currently, at Ahavath Achim, he attends most evening minyans by Zoom and leads the Wednesday evening service.