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SEAN Comiskey’s children will be making sure he has a happy Father’s Day today.

But the outdoors instructor, who was once told he might never be a dad, says every day with his children is something to celebrate.

As a 19-year-old student, he was diagnosed with breast cancer – and was warned the treatment he needed to save his life could rob him of any chance of becoming a dad.

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But now he is a proud father to Freya, five, and Oisean, two, and is on a mission to raise awareness of breast cancer among men.

Sean, who lives with his fiancee Anna and their two children in Fort William , said: “I never knew that men could get breast cancer until I was diagnosed aged just 19.

“I was young, fit and sporty. I had no family history of the disease and I think the doctors were as shocked as I was.

“When I was told the treatment I needed could leave me infertile, I was upset. I knew even then that I wanted to have a family.

“But you need the treatment to get better so you just have to hope things will be okay.

“Thankfully for me, everything worked out well – I’ve got a great life and a wonderful family. I know how lucky I am.”

Sean was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2000 after spotting a small lump under his nipple.

While he hadn’t been concerned at first, he went to his local doctor after he noticed a discharge and the lump started to grow.

His GP told him it was probably just a small cyst and referred him to hospital to have it removed.

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Everyone was shocked when tests revealed breast cancer and Sean admits he needed time to himself to come to terms with his diagnosis.

Sean, who grew up in Donegal, said: “It’s always a dark time when you are given the news that you have cancer and it’s hard to know at first where your head is at.

“I come from a small community where everyone wanted to be very supportive but I didn’t want to be in the spotlight.

“I think, being a typical man, I wanted to get away so I could get my head around it.”

Outdoor enthusiast Sean headed to a hill he loved that was close to Clonmany, the village where he grew up.

He spent an emotional day at the top but says it helped him face the tough weeks and months ahead.

Sean said: “I remember I sat at the top of this big hill I loved just bawling my eyes out.

“I spent most of the day up there, letting all the emotion out, releasing all the self-pity, but it was very therapeutic and important for me to do.

“I came down a different person, with a different mindset about what lay ahead.”

Sean underwent an operation to remove his breast tissue and the lymph nodes under his arm. He then had months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Once he recovered, he found a new determination to make the most of every second of his life.

Sean said: “Before I was ill, I was quite an easygoing, shy person who would probably have let lots of opportunities pass me by.

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“But getting cancer was a bit of a kick up the butt for me. It made me realise that life should be about grabbing opportunities and doing what you really want to do.

“I had just finished my second year at university when I was diagnosed. So after treatment, I went back to university. Then, that summer, I headed off to the US to play American football, which I probably wouldn’t have done previously.”

On graduating from university, Sean did everything from becoming a basket maker to travelling the world.

He also threw himself into all the sports he loves, including kayaking, climbing, cycling and football.

The 35-year-old lives and works in Fort William, where both he and partner Anna not only have their dream jobs as outdoor adventure instructors but spend every spare minute enjoying the area with their children.

Sean said: “Becoming a father is something I could never take for granted.

“I knew there was a chance the cancer treatment I had might have stopped me from becoming a dad naturally but thankfully we had no issues.

“I feel so blessed to have the life I do, living where we do, having jobs we love and, most of all, being able to raise two such amazing kids here.

“In those dark days when I was first diagnosed, I did wonder about what I was going to miss out on in life but I have been so very lucky.

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“For me, having cancer was only a chapter in my life – but a very important chapter that has helped me write the next part of my book.

“It’s hard to say whether I would have done all the amazing things I have in my life or be where I am now, doing what I love, if I hadn’t been ill.

“For me, a lot of good came out of something bad.”

Sean is now keen to do all he can to raise awareness of breast cancer – particularly in men.

The disease affects only around 340 men in the UK each year – compared with 60,000 women. Most men who get breast cancer are aged over 60.

He said: “When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, everyone was shocked – firstly that it was a sporty 19-year-old guy who had cancer and secondly that it was breast cancer, which is an illness mainly associated with women.

“I was quite self-conscious about it being breast cancer at first.

“But this is a disease that affects men too and, if I can help raise awareness of that, then I’m really happy to do so.”

In September this year, Sean plans to promote awareness of the disease in men by appearing as a model in the Breast Cancer Care Scotland Fashion Show.

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He will be one of 22 models who have had the diagnosis to take to the catwalk to help raise funds for the charity.

The show, supported by the Sunday Mail, takes place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Argyle Street, Glasgow, on September 22.

Carolyn Rogers, a clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Care, said: “For a man to be diagnosed with breast cancer at 19 is exceptionally rare.

“Breast cancer in men is very rare generally, but it does happen.

“Men should get to know how their chest looks and feels and, like Sean, go to their GP as soon as they notice any unusual changes.”

For more information or to buy tickets for the Breast Cancer Care Scotland Fashion Show, visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk/theshowscotland