A North Carolina couple married for more than five decades are turning an extraordinary personal journey into a public health message after surviving six cancer diagnoses between them — including a rare case of male breast cancer.
David and Pat Penny, who have been married for 51 years, say their experience underscores the lifesaving importance of early detection, routine screening and trusting one’s instincts when something feels wrong.
David Penny, a 73-year-old U.S. Army veteran and retired firefighter, discovered a small lump during a routine self-exam last spring, just weeks after his birthday. The lump was no larger than a pea — something many men might have ignored — but David immediately sensed it was abnormal.
“When I felt it, I said, ‘This is not normal,’” he recalled.
He sought medical attention right away and underwent a lumpectomy the following week. The procedure showed clean margins, and follow-up scans have remained clear.
Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. David says he considers himself fortunate to have caught the disease early.
“That’s not real high, but I was the 1%,” he said.
Cancer, however, was not new territory for David. Since 1982, he has survived cancer five times, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and sarcoma.
“He was supposed to be dead at 30,” Pat said. “We’re just blessed. He’s the ever-ready bunny — he takes a licking and keeps on ticking.”
Pat Penny has also faced breast cancer herself. In 2009, at age 56, a routine mammogram revealed a tumor, despite years of normal screening results. At the time, she was not particularly concerned, but she now credits the timely exam with saving her life.
“They found my cancer early. It was real deep embedded,” she said. “If it had grown to the point where I could’ve found it myself, it would have been too late.”
Pat completed treatment and was declared cancer-free in 2010. She has remained cancer-free ever since.
Together, the Pennys have confronted cancer six times and emerged as survivors. Now volunteers with the American Cancer Society, they share their story to encourage others to stay vigilant and proactive about their health.
“We want to provide hope,” Pat said. “Good treatments, early detection and faith in God have gotten us through.”
Their message is simple but urgent: listen to your body and act quickly.
“Nobody knows your body but you,” David said. “If you have anything wrong with you, don’t put it off for a week or two hoping it’ll go away.”
“Early detection and early treatment are so important,” Pat added. “There’s no age limit. Whether you’re young or old, cancer can happen. Be aware.”
The Pennys say that if their story motivates even one person to seek care sooner, their journey will have been worth it.
