"Tough guy," Harley rider fights breast cancer; one of the 1% of men diagnosed

OCONOMOWOC -- Among all the women arriving at the recent Breast Cancer Survivors Ride was one guy in a pink 'survivor' T-shirt.

His name is Jim Ackerman, and he's a Harley riding Bobcat salesman from Milwaukee.

He's also fighting breast cancer -- the leading cancer among U.S. women.

Ackerman discovered the Stage 2 lump on his chest while taking a shower.

"I just thought it was nothing, but it wasn't," said Ackerman.

These days, Ackerman is surrounded by a strong community of women.

"They're good support. They're all hugging me, saying what it's gonna be like," said Ackerman.

The road ahead won't be any easier for Ackerman than it is for the ladies who rode their motorcycles beside him.

Every Thursday, Ackerman gets chemotherapy at Froedtert Hospital. The chemo will hopefully shrink the lump, to the point Ackerman can undergo a mastectomy.

"Everyone is always surprised. 'Oh, men don't get breast cancer.' They certainly do," said Ackerman.

Dr. Christopher Chitambar at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, says men make up about one percent of all breast cancer cases. He says the outcomes and treatments for men are no different than they are for women.

"They should not feel embarrassed about it. They are not alone if they have it. It's just like in women. It's highly curable. There are good treatment strategies, good drugs, good medications," said Dr. Chitambar.

Like women, men also have an increased risk if a female relative has had breast cancer. Ackerman's mother died from breast cancer when she was 44 years old. She never had chemotherapy or surgery.

"Back in the 70s, she chose not to. So she passed away fast," said Ackerman.

At 59 years old, Ackerman stays optimistic by taking his bike out on the open road. He's also more sympathetic toward the women in his life.

"Hey guys, listen up. When your wives, girlfriends, moms are going for that mammogram, give 'em a hug. Because that contraption is not fun," said Ackerman.

There's a bumpy year ahead, with more chemo, surgery and radiation, but Ackerman isn't planning his ride into the sunset anytime soon.