Men should be screened for breast cancer, a life-threatening disease generally associated with women, because they, too, are at risk of developing it.
(The Post News)- A 69-year-old man, Mano Chinna, who survived breast cancer, is encouraging men to go for breast cancer screening. Chinna was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and is now cancer-free after undergoing treatment.
Chinna expressed shock upon receiving his diagnosis, noting that it came as a surprise to him that men can also be diagnosed with the life-threatening disease. He stated that he was informed that about one in a million men contract the disease.
Chinna was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and underwent all treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and tumor removal surgery. Contrary to expectations, Chinna found the treatment processes manageable.
According to the Council for Medical Schemes, about 1.8% of all breast cancer cases in South Africa are in men. Similarly, General Surgeon Kristen Williams from Baptist Health stated that every year, one in 726 males is affected by breast cancer, resulting in 2600 new diagnoses and 500 fatalities.
Notable cases of male breast cancer include Matthew Knowles, Beyoncé’s father, who announced his diagnosis in 2019. Knowles noticed nipple discharge, which led to his stage 1A breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent mastectomy surgery.
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt emphasized that while breast cancer is rare in men, it can occur. However, detection is challenging due to lack of routine screening guidelines and limited awareness.
Dr. Brahmbhatt highlighted symptoms of breast cancer in men, including lumps, nipple discharge, skin abnormalities, or breast swelling. He also noted that mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes increase the risk of male breast cancer.
Although men can take proactive measures through self-examination, Dr. Brahmbhatt stressed the importance of scheduling regular examinations, ideally concurrently with monthly testicular examinations.
Early detection is crucial, as delayed diagnosis often leads to more aggressive treatment methods for men than women. By raising awareness and encouraging screening, men can better protect themselves against breast cancer.
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