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Gibson Mhaka .
BREAST cancer information and campaigns are more tailored towards women than men despite the fact that this growing health problem is also affecting the lives of men too.
This approach could be so because breast cancer is largely seen as a a�?womena��s diseasea�? since it affects the lives of women much more than men.
According to findings by the Zimbabwe Cancer Registry (ZCR), the rate of breast cancer among Zimbabwean women is rising and the growth rate has become several times higher in recent years than it was 20 years ago.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health and Child Care also show that on average 1 800 women are affected annually by either breast or cervical cancer. Of the affected, an estimated 1 200 die from the disease annually.
The statistics further show that breast cancer is the most common cancer now having surpassed cervical cancer as the leading cause of death not only in Zimbabwe but in sub-Saharan Africa as one in eight women is likely to develop breast cancer, while one in 1 000 is likely to suffer a similar fate, clearly indicating that breast cancer has got the face of a woman.
With indications like these, it is no wonder why breast cancer information and campaigns are more tailored towards women than men.
It is also important to note that such focus on breast cancer in women has left many people feeling that male breast cancer is overlooked, hence there is a need to gradually increase awareness of male breast cancer in order to dispel the myth that men dona��t get the disease.
While many people will heed the call to wear pink ribbons this month, cancer patients and organisations feel awareness should also entail a more dedicated effort to men, educating them that they are also victims of breast cancer.
This is so because health specialists say men are excluded from two-thirds of the studies on breast cancer, and this delays clinical trials on breast cancer devoted entirely to men. This may be attributed to the fact that awareness of breast cancer is so much greater among women than men.
An official from the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe said although their organisation was increasing awareness, there were still huge challenges when it comes to men.
a�?Many people dona��t know that men can get breast cancer because they dona��t think of men as having breasts. In fact, both men and women have breast tissue, although men have much smaller amounts than women. It is important to note that many of the factors that increase the risk of breast cancer among women are the same for men.
a�?As men age, their risk of breast cancer also increases. Men who have a family history of breast cancer are also at increased risk of developing the disease. Other factors that increase the risk of breast cancer in women, such as smoking, obesity, radiation exposure and high alcohol consumption, can also increase mena��s breast cancer risk,a�? said the official.
The official further said men with breast cancer had the same treatment options as women as they also need to have chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy or bone-directed therapy.
From the officiala��s observation there was no doubt that lack of awareness in men caused embarrassment since most of the information and research on breast cancer focused on women and men could feel ashamed if they are diagnosed with an illness that is seen as feminine.
A public health specialist for the Health Information Department in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Milton Chemhuru said there was a need to increase male breast cancer awareness since increasing focus on breast cancer in women had left many people feeling that male breast cancer was being overlooked.
a�?If you are a man and assume that breast cancer is only a womena��s disease you are wrong. Men are also victims of breast cancer. The only challenge we are having as a ministry is that men simply are not fully sensitised to look for it.
This is so because the disease is rare in men hence they are far less likely to recognise the symptoms and take them seriously until it is too late.
a�?Encouraging men to go for screening regularly will help them to feel more confident about noticing any unusual changes so they can go to their doctor promptly. Meanwhile, as we commemorate October Breast Cancer awareness month, we want to get as many people as possible including those in rural communities to be involved in raising awareness of this devastating health problem.
a�?We are also including traditional healers to raise awareness on the disease since many people are consulting them for help, that is why as a ministry we felt that we cannot leave them out in our campaigns,a�? said Dr Chemhuru.
He said the most common signs of breast cancer in men are lumps or swelling in the breast or lymph node areas, dimpling or puckering of the skin, nipple retraction, nipple discharge and scaling or redness of the nipple or surrounding skin.
Another medical practitioner Dr Edwin Muguti said a lot of work had to be done in terms of raising awareness among men on the risk factors of breast cancer.
a�?Although a lot of campaigns are being carried out to fight the disease I dona��t think we are doing much to sensitise men that they can also be victims of breast cancer. However, there is a lot of work to be done in terms of sensitising men on the dangers of breast cancer.
a�?There is a need to roll out programmes specifically targeting men. This involves following them wherever they congregate and making them aware that breast cancer is not only affecting women but men also. This has to be an on-going programme throughout the year so that both men and women appreciate the advantages of early diagnosis and treatment,a�? said Dr Muguti.
Online Reporter