Breast cancer in men, what you should know

When people talk about breast cancer, most think it only affects women. But doctors warn that men can also get breast cancer, even if it is rare.

The World Health Organisation says that around 1% of all breast cancer cases happen in men. That may sound small, but it means thousands of men across the world are affected. Sadly, many are diagnosed late because they do not believe it can happen to them.

In Uganda, doctors at the Uganda Cancer Institute report that a few men are treated for breast cancer every year. However, most of these cases come at advanced stages because men often ignore the warning signs. Some think a lump in the chest is nothing serious, while others fear talking about it.

Dr. Agnes Namutebi, an oncologist at Mulago Hospital, says men have breast tissue just like women and should take any swelling seriously. “If a man feels a lump, swelling, or discharge from his nipple, he should go for a medical checkup immediately,” she explains.

Health experts note that men above 50 years are more at risk. Other factors include being overweight, drinking too much alcohol, and having a family history of breast cancer. Early testing helps detect the disease before it spreads — giving a much higher chance of survival.

“Cancer does not choose gender,” Dr. Namutebi says, adding that if detected early, it can be treated.

By learning the signs and speaking openly, men can take control of their health and help break the silence around breast cancer. Both men and women should remember: early detection saves lives.

According to the Uganda Cancer Institute, more than 4,000 Ugandan women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Breast cancer made up 7.1% of all new cancer cases in Uganda in 2018, says the World Health Organisation’s Uganda Cancer Country Profile 2020. This shows that breast cancer is one of the leading cancers affecting women in the country.

A report by the RSNA / R&E Foundation notes that breast cancer cases in Uganda have been rising by about 5.2% annually over the past 15 years. The same report says that up to 89% of women with breast cancer in Uganda are diagnosed in late stages (stage III or IV), which makes treatment much more difficult