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Miriam Mutebi: Can Men Get Breast Cancer? YES, They Can!

Breast Cancer/LinkedIn

Nov 27, 2024, 16:31

Miriam Mutebi: Can Men Get Breast Cancer? YES, They Can!

Miriam Mutebi, Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Can Men Get Breast Cancer?YES, They Can!

Almost sounds like a political slogan, but you read that right—men can get breast cancer too!

While it’s less common than in women, it’s a reality we must acknowledge.

Statistics reveal that approximately 1 in 833 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, accounting for 1-3% of all breast cancer cases worldwide.
While this might seem like a small percentage, in the United States alone, it represents around 2,700 new cases each year.
In Africa, the situation presents its unique challenges. The awareness surrounding male breast cancer is alarmingly low. A study conducted in Kenya sheds light on this reality: out of 1,210 patients diagnosed with breast cancer at a single institution, 17 were male, comprising about 1.4% of cases.

This aligns closely with global statistics, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and inclusion of men in breast cancer discussions and care.

Certainly, most discussions on breast cancer tend to focus exclusively on women, leaving men in the dark. This lack of awareness among the men may lead to late diagnoses, which is concerning.

In South Africa, for instance, the survival rate for men diagnosed with breast cancer is significantly lower than that for women, largely due to delayed diagnosis and lack of awareness.

Men should be aware of changes in their breasts just like women are.

For the males reading this post, if you notice any unusual lumps, persistent pain, or discharge, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice.

Keep in mind that these symptoms do not necessarily point to a cancer diagnosis. The most common reason men come to the breast clinic at AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, EAST AFRICA is because of enlargement of their breasts, commonly referred to as Gynaecomastia.

Understand that breast cancer doesn’t discriminate by gender and therefore encouraging open conversations about breast health is essential for everyone.

Feel free to reshare this post.

Let’s keep the men in our lives informed because breast health is a collective responsibility; awareness remains the 1 step towards prevention.”

Miriam Mutebi: Can Men Get Breast Cancer? YES, They Can!

Miriam Mutebi is a Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. She is the President of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), and past president for Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO) and on the Board of Directors of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

She is the co-founder of the Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons and is part of the Kenya Association of Women Surgeons. She is an avid supporter for the education and support for women, especially in surgery and she aims to provide mentorship for women in surgery and to improve women’s health and surgical care in Africa. She is currently pursuing a pilot’s license in order to extend breast care services to marginalized areas.

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