Former Great Britain World Cup winner David Jeanes has issued a powerful warning to men after revealing he is living with stage four breast cancer – a disease he initially mistook for nothing more than a sore nipple.
The former inspiring forward, who helped Great Britain lift the World Cup in 1972, was diagnosed in 2021 after his wife urged him to seek medical advice.
Now, Jeanes is determined to ensure other men do not make the same mistake, highlighting research from The Moobs Report which found that 67 per cent of men do not know they can develop breast cancer.
The former Wakefield Trinity and Leeds Rhinos forward, who starred during the 1960s and 1970s, has called for greater awareness of the disease and stressed the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Jeanes was part of Wakefield’s iconic ‘Watersplash’ Challenge Cup Final team in 1968, starting at prop in their dramatic 11-10 defeat to Leeds in front of a crowd of almost 90,000.
He also played and scored in Wakefield’s Championship Final victory over Hull KR that year – the club’s last top-flight league title before their historic 2026 Super League Grand Final triumph over Warrington Wolves.
Four years later, Jeanes was representing Great Britain on the international stage, featuring in three of the team’s four matches as they won the 1972 Rugby League World Cup, including the final against Australia.
It remains Great Britain’s last World Cup triumph, with England currently competing in the 2026 tournament Down Under under head coach Brian McDermott.
But away from the glory of rugby league, Jeanes has faced a far more personal fight – and is now using his experience to help raise awareness.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021,” he said.
“After having had the tumour removed and all my lymph nodes taken away because most of those were cancerous, I went through a period of sickness and had to make all sorts of visits to hospital.
“During all that time, there was never any mention of men having breast cancer. All the literature I’ve seen over the years only ever seems to mention women – but here, we are talking about people.
“I understand that only 67 per cent of the population know that men can get breast cancer – I was one of them.
“I think everyone should know, because it’s very important that they get an early diagnosis and early treatment, whatever treatment that might be, to give them a longer lifespan or to cure them.”
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Jeanes has revealed just how easily the early warning signs can be overlooked.
He initially dismissed his symptoms as a sore nipple, treating the problem himself before his wife stepped in and insisted he contact his doctor.
“I just had a sore nipple that I was treating with Savlon, and it was my wife who made me contact the doctors,” he said.
“Straight away, the doctors booked me into the oncology department, and I had an operation. Everything was done within two weeks.
“It’s so important that men know.
“I want to raise awareness. I think if men know there’s a possibility and get any sort of reaction in the breast or chest, they should get it looked at straight away.
“I would also like to thank the brilliant NHS for the way they have treated me on my journey, and allowed me to spend more time with my beautiful family.”
And while Jeanes is fighting his own battle, he has also been given a huge lift by Wakefield’s remarkable return to the top of rugby league.
The ex-star watched proudly as Daryl Powell’s side ended a 58-year wait to be crowned champions once again, overpowering Warrington 23-10 at Old Trafford to lift the Super League trophy.
Wakefield had already sent shockwaves through the competition by knocking out seven-time champions Wigan Warriors in the semi-finals, before becoming just the sixth club of the modern era to be crowned Super League winners.
A World Club Challenge clash against NRL premiers Sydney Roosters is also being lined up for 2027 in England.
For Jeanes, the triumph brought back memories of his own glory days – and a famous victory over the same opponents who had stood in Wakefield’s way nearly six decades earlier.
“There was a bit of deja vu,” he explained.
“In 1968, who did Wakefield beat in the semi-finals by 26-9? It was Wigan, of all teams.
“That was Billy Boston’s last game for Wigan, and both teams gave him a guard of honour onto the pitch, which I’ll always remember.
“They played so well this year, and it gave me such a lift.”
The celebrations have also brought Jeanes back into contact with old friends, including Wakefield great Neil Fox, whose wife Molly has spoken to him about the challenges Neil now faces with dementia.
“He is a lifelong friend of mine and always will be, and the greatest player in the world, as far as I’m concerned,” Jeanes said.
“What it has done for us old players, because there’s still a few of us about from ’68, I know what it must have meant to them to see Wakefield back to where we were.
“It was so good of Matt Ellis (Wakefield owner) to take the trophy up to Neil’s house to show him and remind him of the great times of the ’60s.”