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Olubukola Ayodele: Raising awareness about Breast Cancer in Men

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Nov 20, 2024, 17:35

Olubukola Ayodele: Raising awareness about Breast Cancer in Men

Olubukola Ayodele, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“On this International Men’s Day, it’s important to take a moment to reflect and raise awareness about an issue that often gets overlooked: Breast Cancer in Men.

While it is rare, approximately 400 men in the UK are diagnosed each year. Sadly, many of these diagnoses come at advanced stages, largely due to a general lack of awareness and the absence of routine screening programs.

I recently watched a clip featuring ten schoolboys aged 13 to 17 in the UK being asked about breast cancer, and it was disheartening to see that none of them were aware that men can be affected by this disease.

There are certain factors that can increase the risk of developing breast cancer in men, including:

Age – The likelihood increases as one gets older.
Family history of breast cancer and the presence of genes such as BRCA or PALB2.
Elevated estrogen levels, often seen in men who are obese, those with liver conditions like cirrhosis, those who use certain recreational drugs such as Marijuana, hormonal therapies for gender transition, undescended testes, and a history of orchidectomy (removal of the testicles).
Klinefelter’s syndrome – A genetic condition where a man is born with an extra female chromosome, XXY.
Past exposure to radiation.
Alcohol consumption.

Common symptoms to be aware of include:

Breast lumps often painless.
Nipple discharge.
Nipple retraction.
Swelling of the whole breast.
Lumps or swelling under the arm.
Rashes on or around the nipple.

Currently, we approach the treatment of breast cancer in men similarly to that in women, which may involve surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, targeted treatments, and clinical trials (I’m involved with several trials that have male participants).

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s vital to reach out to your GP as soon as possible. Early detection can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment.

Many men who receive a breast cancer diagnosis often feel shocked and isolated, as society tends to associate this disease primarily with women. If you’re in the UK and find yourself in need of support, there are organizations like moobs, Breast Cancer Now, Make 2nds Count, Against Breast Cancer, and Macmillan Cancer Support that can provide help and guidance.

Let’s take a moment to recognize and celebrate men living with this reality. To all of you, we see you and your strength!”

Olubukola Ayodele: Raising awareness about Breast Cancer in Men

More posts featuring Olubukola Ayodele.

Dr. Olubukola Ayodele is a Consultant Medical Oncologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, specializing in breast and genitourinary malignancies, including germ cell tumors.

She is also an honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Leicester and heads the Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Unit at the Leicester Cancer Research Centre. Dr. Ayodele’s work includes numerous publications, clinical trials, and collaborative research projects on molecular drivers and biomarkers in breast cancer. She is a member of ASCO, ESMO, ACP and UKBCG.