When Young Mauritians Break the Silence
When young Mauritians break the silence
Published by: Le Dimanche Hebdo
Date: Sun 12/10/2025 - 14:00
A generation of young men is now stepping forward to address a disease that has long been perceived as exclusively female: breast cancer. Their testimonies reveal a striking paradox: while prejudices persist, awareness is beginning to grow among Mauritian youth, driven by a desire to refuse ignorance.
Emilio Maurice, 17, candidly admits, “When you think of breast cancer, the first thing that comes to mind is the female gender. It’s a bit ignorant, considering the disease also affects men.” This sentiment is echoed by many, as breast cancer remains mentally associated with women. Jordan How Yee Seong, 18, expresses his surprise, stating, “I didn’t know men could be affected. I always thought this disease only concerned women.”
Conversely, 21-year-old Mygel Young Pak Kian is aware of the issue but shares, “It’s mostly theoretical knowledge since it’s rarely discussed.” Jamie Pharell Lloyd Garrick, 19, notes that breast cancer in men is “extremely rare,” adding, “The symptoms are similar to those of women, and the treatment is the same.”
However, Mygel points out that the general lack of awareness about the disease “shows that there’s still work to be done to improve awareness.” This ignorance perpetuates a taboo that hinders universal awareness and relegates men to the role of mere spectators in a battle that can directly affect them.
These young men demonstrate remarkable empathy as well. Jordan reflects, “The first thing that comes to mind is how women endure this pain,” acknowledging the daily struggles faced by patients. Mygel further considers “the challenges faced by patients, including stigma and rejection of their identity.”
This sensitivity is accompanied by a clear desire to understand. Emilio insists, “We need to understand this disease and also offer our support to those who suffer from it.” He emphasizes that understanding the illness doubles the support for the suffering person.
From Support to Action
When asked about their role in this fight, the young men outline a multi-level commitment. Jamie sees men as those who “are there to support women in their fight and give them strength day after day.”
Kritik Kumar Damree, 24, agrees, stating, “Even if we aren’t directly affected, we can support, inform, and encourage the women around us to get screened. Talking about it openly helps break the taboos.” However, the male role extends beyond emotional support. Millind Kumar Bheekharry, 19, lists precise actions: “Educate ourselves, support, raise awareness, get involved, and monitor our own health.” He also emphasizes the need to “break taboos” and “participate in organizing information and screening campaigns.” He believes it would be beneficial to start discussions about mammograms from adolescence, around 15 years old or after growth.
Mygel expands on this idea by discussing a “bilateral” role: accompanying during illness and becoming “ambassadors of these stories” after recovery. “We need to encourage screenings and show that men are affected too,” he asserts.
Lack of Knowledge on Screening
Despite the presence of empathy, knowledge of medical recommendations is sorely lacking. When asked about the recommended age for a mammogram, most admit their ignorance. Jordan confesses, “I’ve never heard about the recommended age,” suggesting that “schools or even parents should address this topic more.”
Jamie, however, has specific information: “Mammograms are recommended between ages 50 and 74 but can be advised from 30 or 40, depending on risk and a health professional's advice.” Mygel adds, “It’s recommended to get screened every two years between ages 25 and 39, and annually from age 40. But there’s no age for prevention, especially with family histories.”
He also mentions local facilities like the Valérie Sénèque center at Bo’Valon Mall or Link to Life, which offer free screenings in Mauritius. “The key is to stay vigilant and not ignore the signs,” he adds.
Encouragingly, several of these young men have already started conversations. Millind recalls discussions at school during World Cancer Day. Mygel discusses topics with friends, noting that “it breaks the stigma and fosters better listening.” Kritik has talked about it with his mother and sister, remarking, “These are simple yet important discussions.”
Emilio fully embraces his approach: “This is a topic that can be taboo or sensitive, but personally, I talk about it to raise awareness and understand, so I don’t remain ignorant.”
These testimonies portray a transitioning generation. Aware of their knowledge gaps, these young men show a genuine open-mindedness and desire for engagement. “It’s better to prevent than to cure and to show an interest in the disease in general,” summarizes Emilio. As Kritik highlights, “Awareness should concern everyone, without distinction.”