04/02/2026
Absolutely agree; this is an important and often ignored conversation. Breast cancer is not a “women-only” disease, and that misconception is literally costing men their lives. Because men don’t expect it, symptoms are brushed off, stigma keeps them quiet, and diagnosis happens far too late. Awareness must become gender-inclusive. Men have breast tissue. Men can get breast cancer. And early detection saves lives. We need stronger education, open conversations, and health systems that actively include men in screening messages. No one should die from lack of knowledge. Breast cancer doesn’t check gender and neither should awareness campaigns. Let’s normalize men speaking up about breast changes.
Men still dying because male breast cancer is overlooked - Cancer foundation
ZAMBIA today joins the world in Observing World Cancer Day, a moment to highlight the impact of cancer, a complex group of diseases where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, sometimes forming tumors, invading tissues and spreading to other parts of the body, threatening health and lives.
Doctors diagnose cancer through scans, biopsies, and lab tests, while treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or newer methods like targeted therapies and immunotherapy, all aimed at catching the disease early and improving survival.
Yet alarmingly, male breast cancer remains largely ignored, with the Male Breast Cancer Foundation (MBCF) warning that misconceptions, stigma, and late diagnosis are putting men’s lives at risk.
According to the foundation, a lack of awareness is costing men their lives as male breast cancer continues to go unnoticed and untreated until it is too late.
Foundation Executive Director Boaz Musamvu said, male breast cancer remains largely ignored, with many men unaware that they are at risk.
Musamvu explained to that as a result, early symptoms are often dismissed or wrongly diagnosed, leading to patients seeking medical help only when the disease has reached advanced and more dangerous stages.
He noted that research shows men diagnosed late face mortality rates up to 19 percent higher than women, largely due to poor awareness and delayed treatment.
“Breast cancer does not discriminate by gender, it is important to understand that men also have breast tissue and can develop the disease,” he said.
He added that early detection remains the most powerful tool for saving lives, yet awareness among men remains critically low.
“Closing the awareness gap is essential to ensuring that men feel confident seeking medical attention for any changes
in their chest,” he stated.
“Common warning signs include a painless lump in the breast, skin changes, ni**le discharge or an inverted ni**le. Risk factors include older age, family history of breast cancer, BRCA gene mutations, obesity, elevated estrogen levels and Klinefelter syndrome.”
Musamvu urged health workers and institutions to adopt gender-inclusive screening and diagnostic tools, use non-gendered education materials, and encourage men to regularly examine their chests and seek medical attention when changes are noticed.
He added that tackling stigma and misinformation is key to reversing the trend of late diagnosis and preventable deaths.
Musamvu said the time for action is now, emphasising that no man should die simply because he did not know he could get breast cancer.
This year’s World Cancer Day is marked under the theme “United by Unique,” emphasising that every person’s experience with cancer is different and underscoring the need for awareness, early detection, and proactive measures to save lives.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba February 4, 2026
