Researchers discovered male breast cancer survival rates are significantly lower than that of female breast cancer.
Male breast cancer affects one in 883 men in their lifetime in the UK, making it a relatively rare disease compared to female Breast Cancer which affects one in eight.
However, the rarity of the diagnoses comes with its own unique challenges due to a notable lack of research among men and clinicians.
Martin White, from Hillsborough, was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when he was 17 years old.
He underwent surgery and radiotherapy treatment at Weston Park Hospital and was given the all clear, but 25 years later was diagnosed with Grade 2 HE2R positive breast cancer after finding a lump in his breast.
Three days after Martin’s breast cancer treatment ended, younger sister Claire Griffiths was given the news that her breast cancer had returned.
He said to the NHS News: “Our family is a good example of why trying to understand more about cancer is so important.
“It is better to develop a future where we can offer more preventative actions rather than rely on reactive treatment.
“Cancer can come at any age, affect anyone and under any circumstances, so if I can help raise awareness, especially in rare cancers such as male breast cancer, then I will do what I can to help others.”
Vanderbilt University found, in a 2019 study, male breast cancer patients have a 19% higher mortality rate than women.
Also, unlike breast cancer in women, survival rates for male breast cancer have not significantly improved in the last 30 years, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
The risk of male breast cancer is increased by a mutation in the BRCA2 gene, however most diagnoses in men are not caused by inherited factors.
Exposure to radiation to the chest, conditions that increase levels of oestrogen, like obesity, also increase the risk.
Symptoms of male breast cancer can include: a painless lump in your breast tissue, changes to the skin on your breast such as dimpling or redness, and changes or discharge to your nipple.
Due to only a small number of men being diagnosed with the disease, men are often excluded from cancer clinical trials.
This means male treatment for breast cancer is the same as for women: anti-hormone drugs such as tamoxifen and chemotherapy.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month which aims to raise awareness of the disease, teach everyone the symptoms with the aim of saving more lives.