Radio host Jim Berry announced on air Tuesday morning that he has Stage 3 breast cancer.

Berry, who hosts “Berry for Breakfast” on KFEZ (EASY 101.3 FM), informed listeners that he has had a mastectomy.

“They need to understand that this type of cancer that normally affects women also attacks many men too, and they need to check for lumps and bumps and see a doctor right away,” he said.

Berry, 46, said he had a lump for some time before going in for a checkup. His doctor then set up an appointment with a specialist.

“He examined me and was very concerned with the lump and said we needed it out of there now,” Berry said. “I went in for pre-surgery, and they did tons of poking and prodding. That’s when they let me know it was cancer.”

A full mastectomy was required, and surgeons removed lymph nodes from under Berry’s arm. The oncology report revealed a Stage 3 cancer tumor that was encapsulated.

Doctors still need to remove two lymph nodes from under Berry’s chest plate before setting up a plan for chemotherapy.

Three days after the surgery, Berry returned to work with 27 staples and two drainage tubes.

“I shared my situation on Facebook and on-air so I can help other people be more aware and so more people will be checked,” he said.

The Trinidad native is a voice with which many southern Colorado listeners are familiar. He worked at 92.9 FM (KKPK) for eight years and was a general manager in Salida for two years prior to joining KFEZ, which is run by Southern Colorado Radio.

“My family, of course, has been very supportive,” Berry said. “My three girls are getting the word out to everybody that I’m OK, and that way I don’t have to spend a lot of time going through the same thing over and over again.

“The listeners are very supportive, saying to keep up the fight. I just couldn’t believe how great the response was and how many friends I had out there that really were concerned about my situation.”

Berry thanked Mike Knar, president of SOCO Radio, and the SOCO family for their support. He has no intentions of taking time off from the airwaves.

“I never even gave it a second thought about working,” he said. “I love what I do too much.”

Listeners can hear Berry each morning on KFEZ, where he will provide updates on his condition. Well-wishers can email him at jim@socoradio.com.