Breast cancer in men and the stigma

Experts raise alarm as delayed diagnosis leads to potentially worsening outcomes

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While breast cancer is often perceived as a women's disease, men also suffer from the deadly disease. However, stigma delays their diagnosis and treatment, potentially worsening outcomes, experts have said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 0.5-1 per cent of breast cancers occur in men. While this percentage may seem small, it translates to thousands of men worldwide facing this diagnosis each year.

"Despite its rarity, breast cancer in men is often diagnosed later than in women. Many men are unaware that they can develop breast cancer, leading to delayed detection. However, early detection significantly improves survival rates," Dr Ramesh Sarin, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centres, said.