Shattering the Silence on Male Breast Cancer

Male breast cancer emerges as a stigmatized disease, igniting awareness efforts. In a world where pink ribbons and breast cancer awareness campaigns predominantly focus on women, an almost unheard-of secret remains hidden in the shadows: male breast cancer.

This enigmatic condition is stealthily afflicting men across the globe, often without warning or awareness.

It is fascinating that, in this today’s world where cancer breast cancer is the second worldwide killer disease, people and largely men are unaware of male breast cancer. The society’s level of knowledge about the possibility of breast cancer in men is limited.

“Real men do not get breast cancer,” so goes the pervasive misconception, contributing to the neglect of male breast cancer. While the disease predominantly affects women, the mere existence of breast cancer in men remains a mystery to many.

Although relatively rare, its time the media, medical community, education and the public awareness campaigns shed light on this forgotten and ignorantly neglected issue. Experts suggest that lack of awareness, has resulted to delayed diagnoses and treatment for men.

Ismael Chasamani, a 20- year, second year, Chuka university, though not a victim, sinks into surprise on realizing the notion of male breast cancer. He admits he has never considered the notion that breast cancer can affect men. “I have lived to think that it is a women’s issue,” he said. His story echoes the ignorance that prevail among men when it comes to male breast cancer.

In a 2023 march- April study by the National Library of Medicine, on analysis of knowledge about male breast cancer, results showed that 61.1% of the 411 participants (270 female and 141 males) were unaware of the possibility of breast cancer in men and gender revealed that women were more knowledgeable than men.

In Mount Kenya region, Meru County shoulders the highest cancer disease burden with 1,789 cases of cancer generally, though breast cancer is not much common among men. However, there are fears that there might be future possibilities of men developing breast cancer, because different types of cancer have been diagnosed in both men and women; prostate cancer being the common among men, breast cancer among the women, and more notably, stomach cancer being evenly spread between the two genders.

The warning signs that men should be aware of when it come to male breast cancer include:

• A lump or swelling in the breast.

• Redness or flaky skin in the breast.

• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.

• Nipple discharge.

• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.

Several factors such as getting older, genetic mutations, family history of breast cancer, radiation therapy treatment, and overweight and obesity can increase man’s chances of getting breast cancer.

To reduce the risk of getting breast cancer, if several members of your family have had breast cancer, share this information with your doctor.

For early detection of male breast cancer men should follow self-examination practices. For instance, pressing down with light, medium and firm pressure the entire breast and armpit area to feel for any new lumps, thickenings, hardened knots, or any other breast changes.

It is amusing that several international initiatives are lately emerging to fill this awareness gap. Online platforms, support groups and awareness campaigns are providing men with the information they need to protect themselves.

The #MenGetBreastCancerToo movement, is gaining momentum, aiming to dismantle the myth “breast cancer is exclusive to women.”

Men, like women, are susceptible to this disease and they deserve to be informed and empowered. “Cancer does not discriminate on gender. We need to educate everyone about the risks and signs, so men do not suffer in silence,” Dr. Emily Carter, an oncologist, Johns Hopkins Hospital once said.

The Writer, Eric Mutinda is a Second Year Journalism Student at Chuka University.