Breast Cancer: About Ten Men Diagnosed Each Year

Between seven and eight men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Mauritius. However, Selvina Moonesawmy, Manager of Link to Life, notes that men still show significant reluctance to get screened.

In recent years, Mauritius has recorded between 5 and 8 cases per year among men. According to the National Cancer Registry 2023, 7 new cases were reported in men and 591 in women, compared to 5 and 557 in 2022 respectively. The 2018 report indicated 16 new cases for men and 570 for women that year.

For women, breast cancer predominantly affects those aged 55-59 (83 cases), followed by 70-74 years (79 cases) and 60-64 years (76 cases). In men, the disease appears more evenly distributed: two cases were recorded in the 60-64, 65-69, and 80-84 age groups, and one case in the 50-54 age group.

It is true that awareness campaigns are not specifically aimed at men. "Our free screening activities in a region are open to everyone. Therefore, when men are present, they undergo screening just like women," explains Selvina Moonesawmy.

In certain areas, "we also offer prostate cancer screening. In these cases, men tend to choose prostate screening over breast screening," she emphasizes. In light of this observation, she advocates for "more awareness campaigns to encourage them."

Link to Life is already working on this, particularly through interventions in businesses, where men are more willing to participate compared to campaigns organized in community centers. "During these sessions, we explain that breast cancer does not only affect women. Cancer does not discriminate based on gender." Risk factors, signs, and symptoms are presented to promote genuine awareness.

"Through these workplace campaigns, we occasionally detect early cases in men," she notes. The presentations help to better inform participants, making them more conscious of their health. "By having information on risk factors and considering their family history, they are more motivated to get tested," she clarifies.

However, in public campaigns, the lack of explanatory presentations results in low male participation. "To better engage men in screening campaigns, we need to increase information, awareness, and prevention efforts," insists Selvina Moonesawmy.

Nevertheless, the Manager of Link to Life highlights that despite this reluctance, most men support their sick wives. However, some are absent during the accompanying stages, especially when a mastectomy becomes unavoidable. "Some spouses struggle to provide the necessary support, but we also have cases of husbands who are very present during treatment and afterward, accompanying their wives to obtain a breast prosthesis or wig," she testifies.

Those who distance themselves often lack communication within the couple. "The patient must first understand what they are experiencing to explain it to their partner. We also need to change the perception of the disease. Some still think that having cancer means certain death," she explains. However, with the treatments available today, many patients continue to lead normal lives.

Link to Life thus provides comprehensive support, not only to patients but also to their partners, through a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, and other health professionals.