National Family Health History Day

The Most Important Conversation at the Thanksgiving Table

Understanding our family's medical past may be one of the greatest gifts we can give future generations. Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for celebrating family, sharing memories, and expressing gratitude. But beyond the familiar conversations about careers, children, traditions, and holiday plans lies an opportunity that could profoundly influence the health of generations to come.

National Family Health History Day, observed annually on Thanksgiving Day, encourages families to discuss, document, and better understand the medical conditions that may run through their family trees. The initiative, launched by the U.S. Surgeon General in 2004, recognizes a fundamental principle of preventive medicine: understanding where we come from can help us make better decisions about where our health is going.

Your Family History Is a Medical Resource

Many of today's most significant health concerns have hereditary or familial components. Heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis, and some neurological conditions can occur more frequently within families because of shared genetics, environments, and lifestyle patterns. 

Yet millions of Americans know surprisingly little about their family's medical history. A grandfather's heart attack, an aunt's breast cancer diagnosis, or a parent's early development of type 2 diabetes may provide important clues for healthcare professionals evaluating an individual's risk.

Family history does not determine destiny. Rather, it provides information that can help physicians recommend appropriate screening, preventive strategies, and, when indicated, genetic counseling. For example, a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer may warrant a hereditary cancer risk assessment. Similarly, cardiovascular disease occurring at unusually young ages among close relatives may prompt earlier evaluation of cholesterol levels and other risk factors. Knowledge creates opportunities for prevention.

Five Questions Worth Asking This Thanksgiving

A meaningful family health conversation need not resemble a medical interview. It can begin naturally, with curiosity and compassion.

1. What major health conditions have affected our family? Consider cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and neurological conditions.

2. At what ages were relatives diagnosed? Early-onset conditions can be particularly important in evaluating inherited risk.

3. Have any family members experienced recurring or unexplained illnesses? Patterns may deserve further clinical attention.

4. Are there health conditions affecting multiple generations? Understanding relationships among affected relatives can help physicians recognize familial trends.

5. What preventive measures or treatments have helped family members? These experiences may offer useful discussion points for healthcare providers.

From Family Conversations to Preventive Action

Documenting family health history is increasingly relevant to personalized medicine. Digital health records, genetic counseling, advanced diagnostic technologies, and risk-based screening programs offer opportunities to translate historical information into individualized healthcare decisions.

Families should record major diagnoses, approximate ages of onset, and relationships among relatives, updating this information as circumstances change. Importantly, conversations should remain voluntary and respectful. Some relatives may prefer not to disclose sensitive medical information, and their privacy deserves protection.

A Thanksgiving Tradition That Could Save Lives

National Family Health History Day reminds us that prevention begins long before symptoms appear. While we gather to celebrate the people who enrich our lives, we can also honor them by learning from their experiences and protecting the health of future generations.

This Thanksgiving, alongside the family photographs, treasured recipes, and stories of years gone by, consider preserving another inheritance: the knowledge that may help your children and grandchildren live longer, healthier lives. Because sometimes, the most valuable family heirloom isn't something we keep in a box. It's something we share in a conversation.

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NATIONAL HEALTH AWARENESS | NOVEMBER 2026

National Family Caregivers Month: Honoring the Unsung Heroes of Healthcare

Recognizing the millions of Americans who dedicate their lives to caring for loved ones—and why their contributions deserve greater recognition, resources, and support. Every day, millions of Americans quietly perform one of society's most demanding and compassionate responsibilities: caring for a family member facing illness, disability, aging, or chronic medical conditions.

They are spouses, adult children, parents, siblings, and friends. Many balance caregiving with full-time employment, financial obligations, and raising their own families. Yet their extraordinary contributions often remain invisible. November is National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM), an annual observance dedicated to recognizing these individuals, raising awareness of their challenges, and advocating for the resources necessary to support them.

When and How Did This Recognition Begin?

National Family Caregivers Month is observed throughout November in the United States. Its origins trace to the National Family Caregivers Association, now known as the Caregiver Action Network, which began promoting caregiver recognition during the 1990s.

The movement gained national visibility when President Bill Clinton signed the first presidential proclamation recognizing National Family Caregivers Month in 1997. Since then, presidential administrations, healthcare organizations, advocacy groups, and community institutions have continued recognizing the essential role family caregivers play in America's healthcare system.

An earlier milestone came in 1994, when President Clinton proclaimed National Family Caregivers Week. The recognition subsequently expanded into a monthlong observance.

Why Is This Month So Important?

63 million Americans

Approximately one in four U.S. adults provided care during the preceding year, according to the 2025 AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving report. Caregiving responsibilities extend far beyond companionship. Family caregivers frequently coordinate medical appointments, administer medications, assist with mobility, prepare meals, monitor symptoms, and communicate with healthcare professionals.

For individuals recovering from cancer, surgery, stroke, or other serious conditions, family caregivers may become essential partners in rehabilitation and long-term recovery. However, caregiving carries substantial personal costs. Emotional exhaustion, financial hardship, interrupted careers, social isolation, and declining personal health are common concerns. Recognizing caregivers means acknowledging that those providing care also need care themselves.

The 2026 Theme: Care Connects Us

This year's national campaign, led by the Caregiver Action Network, carries the theme "Care Connects Us." The message emphasizes relationships, access to information, community support, and the shared responsibility of caring for people facing health challenges.

How Can We Support Family Caregivers?

Meaningful recognition requires more than expressions of gratitude. Communities, employers, healthcare institutions, and policymakers can make a difference by expanding respite services, offering caregiver education, improving workplace flexibility, and connecting families with financial and emotional support.

Healthcare professionals can also involve caregivers in treatment planning, with patient permission, while recognizing their physical and psychological needs.

A Message Worth Remembering

National Family Caregivers Month reminds us that healthcare does not end when a patient leaves the hospital or medical office. It continues in kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, and countless homes where ordinary people perform extraordinary acts of compassion.

This November, celebrate the caregivers who stand beside our loved ones—and remember that supporting the caregiver is an essential part of supporting the patient.

VIDEO FOR SUMMIT (PART 1)

 

WHEN BREAST CANCER SPREADS IN MEN

 Metastatic Male Breast Cancer and the Cost of Invisibility

By: the UNCOVERED (MBCGA) Editorial Team

Breast cancer in men is uncommon. Metastatic breast cancer in men is even less frequently discussed. Yet rarity does not diminish the seriousness of the disease, the complexity of its treatment or the experiences of the men and families living with it.

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 2,670 American men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2026, while approximately 530 will die from it. A man’s lifetime risk is about 1 in 755. Although male breast cancer represents fewer than 1% of breast cancer diagnoses in the United States, these numbers expose a consequential reality: hundreds of men continue to die each year from a disease that many people do not realize men can develop.

What Metastatic Disease Means

Metastatic breast cancer—also called stage IV or distant breast cancer—occurs when cancer cells spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body. Common metastatic sites include the bones, liver, lungs and brain. A man may have metastatic disease when first diagnosed, or an earlier-stage cancer may return years after apparently successful treatment.

Once breast cancer becomes metastatic, treatment generally shifts from eliminating the disease to controlling it for as long as possible. The objectives include slowing progression, reducing tumor burden, relieving symptoms, preserving organ function and maintaining quality of life. Metastatic breast cancer is not currently considered curable, but it is treatable. Some men live for years as therapies are adjusted in response to tumor biology, disease progression and treatment tolerance.

Recent American Cancer Society data, based on men diagnosed between 2015 and 2021, indicate a five-year relative survival rate of approximately 97% for localized male breast cancer and 86% for regional disease. When the cancer is distant or metastatic at diagnosis, that figure falls to approximately 31%. These percentages describe populations, not individual destinies. A man’s outcome may be influenced by tumor subtype, sites of metastasis, genetic alterations, age, general health, available treatments and response to therapy.

Why Men Are Diagnosed Later

The problem frequently begins with invisibility. Men are not routinely screened for breast cancer, and neither patients nor healthcare professionals always recognize the warning signs promptly. A painless lump, nipple retraction, nipple discharge, skin change or swelling beneath the arm may be dismissed as an infection, injury or benign condition.

Because men generally have less breast tissue, a tumor may also reach the nipple, skin or chest-wall structures comparatively early. At least eight out of ten male breast cancers are invasive ductal carcinomas. Delayed recognition gives a potentially treatable localized cancer more time to advance.

An analysis highlighted by the National Cancer Institute found that 5.8% of men, compared with 3.8% of women, had stage IV breast cancer at diagnosis. The same research found higher mortality among men across all disease stages, even after adjusting for clinical characteristics, treatment, age, race, comorbidities and access to care.

"Men diagnosed with breast cancer experienced a 19% higher adjusted risk of death compared with women, according to a major study published in JAMA Oncology. This disparity was observed across disease stages, underscoring the importance of earlier detection, equitable treatment, and male-specific research." (3)

Treatment Built From Incomplete Evidence

Most male breast cancers are hormone-receptor positive, making endocrine therapy central to treatment. Depending on the tumor, a man may also receive chemotherapy, HER2-targeted therapy, immunotherapy or newer targeted agents. Molecular and germline genetic testing can identify characteristics—including inherited BRCA variants—that may influence treatment and inform relatives about their own cancer risks.

However, men have historically been underrepresented or excluded from breast cancer clinical trials. Consequently, many treatment recommendations have been extrapolated from research conducted predominantly among women. This approach provides essential therapeutic options, but it leaves important questions concerning male biology, drug response, dosing, adverse effects and quality of life insufficiently answered.

The Human Burden Behind the Mortality Data

Metastatic male breast cancer creates burdens extending beyond tumor control. Men may experience pain, fatigue, reduced mobility, sexual-health changes, body-image concerns, anxiety and financial pressure. Some encounter disbelief when they disclose their diagnosis. Others enter treatment environments in which educational materials, support groups and visual messaging appear designed exclusively for women.

Racial disparities deepen the concern. The National Cancer Institute reports that Black men are generally diagnosed at a later stage and are more likely to die from breast cancer than White men. This makes metastatic male breast cancer not only a clinical issue, but also an awareness, access and health-equity challenge.

The response must include earlier recognition, rapid evaluation of male breast symptoms, genetic counseling, equitable access to advanced treatments and deliberate inclusion of men in clinical research. Men living with metastatic disease must also be represented in survivorship services, rehabilitation, palliative care and psychosocial support.

Male breast cancer may be rare, but the men living—and dying—with metastatic disease must not remain invisible. The goal is not simply to acknowledge that men can develop breast cancer. It is to ensure that every man receives timely diagnosis, scientifically informed treatment, meaningful support and a genuine opportunity to live longer and better.

References

1) American Cancer Society. (2025, October 15). Key statistics for breast cancer in men. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer-in-men/about/key-statistics.html www.cancer.org

2) American Cancer Society. (2025, October 15). Survival rates for breast cancer in men. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer-in-men/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html www.cancer.org

3) Scientific reference: Wang, F., et al. (2019). Overall mortality after diagnosis of breast cancer in men vs women. JAMA Oncology, 5(11), 1589–1596. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoncol.2019.2803

4) Chen, W., Huang, Y., Lewis, G. D., Szeja, S. S., Hatch, S. S., Farach, A., Miltenburg, D., Butler, E. B., Chang, J. C., & Teh, B. S. (2018). Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors in male patients with stage IV breast cancer: A population-based study. Clinical Breast Cancer, 18(1), e97–e105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clbc.2017.07.005 Scholars @ UT Health San Antonio

5) Hassett, M. J., Somerfield, M. R., Baker, E. R., Cardoso, F., Kansal, K. J., Kwait, D. C., Plichta, J. K., Ricker, C., Roshal, A., Ruddy, K. J., Suman, V. J., & Giordano, S. H. (2020). Management of male breast cancer: ASCO guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 38(16), 1849–1863. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.19.03120 PubMed

6) Leone, J. P., Freedman, R. A., Leone, J., Tolaney, S. M., Vallejo, C. T., Leone, B. A., Winer, E. P., Lin, N. U., & Hassett, M. J. (2023). Survival in male breast cancer over the past 3 decades. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 115(4), 421–428. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djac241 The Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance

7) National Cancer Institute. (2025, February 27). Breast cancer in men. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/male-breast-cancer www.cancer.gov

8) Sirieix, J., Fraisse, J., Mathoulin-Pelissier, S., Leheurteur, M., Vanlemmens, L., Jouannaud, C., Diéras, V., Lévy, C., Ung, M., Mouret-Reynier, M.-A., Petit, T., Coudert, B., Brain, E., Pistilli, B., Ferrero, J.-M., Goncalves, A., Uwer, L., Patsouris, A., Tredan, O., … Frénel, J.-S. (2020). Management and outcome of male metastatic breast cancer in the national multicenter observational research program Epidemiological Strategy and Medical Economics (ESME). Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology, 12, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1758835920980548 journals.sagepub.com

9) Zheng, G., & Leone, J. P. (2022). Male breast cancer: An updated review of epidemiology, clinicopathology, and treatment. Journal of Oncology, 2022, Article 1734049. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1734049 PubMed

Legal statements:

© 2026 Male Breast Cancer Institute. All Rights Reserved. Produced by the Male Breast Cancer Institute. Sponsored by the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance. www.MBCGlobalInstitute.org All original text, graphic designs, educational materials, and campaign content are protected by applicable copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, modification, or commercial use is prohibited without prior written permission, except as permitted by law. This publication is provided for general educational and public awareness purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional healthcare recommendations.

Metastatic breast cancer is a complex medical condition. Its presentation, progression, treatment, and prognosis vary among individuals. Readers should consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding symptoms, screening, diagnosis, treatment options, and individual medical decisions. Medical images, anatomical illustrations, and patient representations are provided for educational or illustrative purposes and may not depict actual patients, clinical findings, or individual disease progression.

The Male Breast Cancer Institute and Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance make no guarantees regarding medical outcomes. Information presented reflects available scientific knowledge and should not replace individualized medical evaluation or care.

DRAFT ONLY: Do Not Share ("The Hidden Disparities behind an Overlooked Disease"

 Male Breast Cancer and Men of Color: The Hidden Disparities behind an Overlooked Disease

An examination of racial disparities, international patterns, social barriers and the urgent need for more inclusive cancer detection.

Draft by: The Institute for Health Research & Communications (IHRC) 

PROLOGUE

Male breast cancer is an overlooked disease. For men of color, it represents an even greater challenge, exposing disparities in healthcare, cultural awareness, early detection, research participation and survival. While breast cancer awareness has achieved remarkable progress, much of the public conversation continues to exclude men, leaving important populations inadequately represented in education, research and advocacy.

The statistics reveal a troubling reality. Black men in the United States experience disproportionately higher rates of male breast cancer than White men, while international research identifies significant disease burdens in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Yet these numbers raise questions that extend beyond genetics and biology. How many men remain undiagnosed? How many delay seeking medical attention because breast cancer is perceived as a woman's disease? How accurately do existing cancer registries represent underserved populations?

This article examines the available evidence, explores potential explanations for racial and geographic disparities, and identifies opportunities to improve awareness, screening, diagnostic access and research.

Most importantly, it challenges us to reconsider how we communicate about male breast cancer. Greater visibility, inclusive research and culturally responsive education are essential to ensuring that every man, regardless of race, ethnicity or nationality, has an opportunity for earlier detection and improved survival.

 

THE DISPARITIES WE CAN NO LONGER IGNORE

Male breast cancer is already an underrecognized disease. For men of color, the challenges can be compounded by racial disparities in cancer outcomes, unequal access to healthcare, cultural misconceptions and a shortage of research addressing different populations. Although breast cancer in men represents approximately 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses in the United States, its relatively low incidence has contributed to a dangerous misconception: that all men face essentially the same risks.

They do not. Research has identified meaningful differences in incidence, age at diagnosis, tumor characteristics and survival among racial and ethnic populations. Understanding these differences requires examining not only biology but also the social circumstances that determine who receives information, who seeks medical attention and who obtains timely treatment.

The American picture: What the numbers reveal

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 2,670 American men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2026, while approximately 530 will die from the disease. The average lifetime risk is approximately one in 755 men.  However, these national estimates conceal substantial disparities.

Source: American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2024–2025.

A separate American Cancer Society study found that Black men experienced 52% higher breast cancer incidence than White men. Importantly, the disparity extended across multiple tumor subtypes, suggesting that the problem cannot be attributed to one particular form of breast cancer.

International disparities: Where is the burden greatest?

The international picture raises equally important questions. A Global Burden of Disease analysis covering 204 countries and territories estimated 38,827 new male breast cancer cases and 13,274 deaths worldwide in 2021.

International findings

Worldwide new cases, 2021: 38,827

Worldwide deaths, 2021: 13,274

Eastern sub-Saharan Africa: Highest estimated regional age-standardized incidence and mortality rates.

Uganda: Highest estimated national incidence and mortality rates in the analysis, at 4.54 and 3.51 per 100,000, respectively.

These are modeled estimates, not complete national cancer registry counts.

These findings warrant greater investigation into African populations and men of African ancestry. However, geography should not be confused with ethnicity. African, Caribbean, Hispanic, Asian, Indigenous and Middle Eastern populations are internally diverse, and available evidence does not support assigning a uniform breast cancer risk to any nationality.

Why might these differences exist?

Researchers are investigating several possible explanations, including inherited genetic susceptibility, hormonal influences, obesity, environmental exposures and differences in access to healthcare.

BRCA2 mutations are an established male breast cancer risk factor, but the reasons for the elevated incidence among Black men remain unresolved. Social and economic inequalities may also contribute to differences in survival.

An important distinction is necessary: genetic ancestry, nationality and socially defined race are not interchangeable. Population-level disparities should generate research questions rather than assumptions about individual patients.

The social barriers: Why men remain invisible

Breast cancer continues to be presented predominantly as a women's disease. For men, particularly those in communities where masculinity, privacy and cultural expectations discourage discussion of breast health, acknowledging symptoms may present additional challenges.

These barriers may be compounded by limited insurance coverage, mistrust of healthcare institutions, inadequate culturally appropriate education and the absence of male representation in breast cancer campaigns. Such explanations require community-specific research rather than cultural generalizations.

The consequences deserve attention. National Cancer Institute research indicates that Black men are more likely than White men to receive a later-stage diagnosis and to die from breast cancer.

Earlier detection: A practical response

The solution is not indiscriminate mammography for every man. It is informed, individualized assessment and timely investigation of symptoms.

Healthcare professionals and community advocates should prioritize five actions:

1. Educate men to recognize breast lumps, nipple discharge, nipple inversion, skin changes and enlarged underarm lymph nodes.
2. Encourage prompt clinical assessment of suspicious changes, followed by diagnostic mammography, ultrasound and biopsy when appropriate.
3. Offer genetic counseling and appropriate testing to men with breast cancer or significant inherited risk.
4. Discuss individualized surveillance with men who have pathogenic BRCA variants or other substantial risk factors.
5. Expand culturally appropriate outreach and improve racial, ethnic and ancestry data collection in cancer registries.

Routine screening mammography is not generally recommended for average-risk men. Screening decisions for higher-risk men should be individualized.

Ultimately, reducing disparities requires more than identifying which populations experience greater risk. It demands research participation, culturally informed education, accessible diagnostic services and public recognition that breast cancer has no gender or racial boundaries.

Every man deserves to recognize the warning signs, understand his individual risk and receive timely care.

Research references

1.      American Cancer Society: Key Statistics for Breast Cancer in Men (2026)

2.      American Cancer Society: Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2024–2025

3.      Subtype-Specific Breast Cancer Incidence Rates in Black Versus White Men

4.      Racial and Ethnic Disparities and Socioeconomic Determinants of Male Breast Cancer Mortality

5.      Global, Regional and National Burden of Male Breast Cancer in 204 Countries

6.      National Cancer Institute: Breast Cancer in Men

7.      National Cancer Institute: Male Breast Cancer Treatment

8.      National Cancer Institute: BRCA1 and BRCA2, Genetic Risk and Surveillance

 

 

References

The following references cover male breast cancer incidence, racial and ethnic disparities, international epidemiology, genetics, screening, treatment outcomes and barriers to care.

1. American Cancer Society. (2024). Breast cancer facts & figures 2024–2025. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures-2024.pdf

2. American Cancer Society. (2026). Key statistics for breast cancer in men. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer-in-men/about/key-statistics.html

3. American College of Radiology. (2025). ACR Appropriateness Criteria®: Male breast cancer screening. https://acsearch.acr.org/docs/3196044/Narrative

4. Crew, K. D., Neugut, A. I., Wang, X., Jacobson, J. S., Grann, V. R., Raptis, G., & Hershman, D. L. (2007). Racial disparities in treatment and survival of male breast cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 25(9), 1089–1098. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2006.09.1710

5. Freeman, J. Q., Schechter, K., Nguyen, L. C., Omoleye, O. J., & Hara, J. H. (2026). Racial and ethnic disparities and socioeconomic determinants of male breast cancer mortality in the United States. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 215, Article 9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-025-07851-y

6. Li, Y., Huang, Y., Huang, H., Wei, T., Zhang, A., Xing, L., Yin, X., Li, H., Ren, G., & Li, F. (2025). Global, regional, and national burden of male breast cancer in 204 countries and territories: A systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study, 1990–2021. eClinicalMedicine, 80, Article 103027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.103027

7. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). BRCA gene changes: Cancer risk and genetic testing fact sheet. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet

8. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Male breast cancer treatment (PDQ®)–Health professional version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/hp/male-breast-treatment-pdq

9. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Male breast cancer treatment (PDQ®)–Patient version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/male-breast-treatment-pdq

10. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Genetics of breast and gynecologic cancers (PDQ®)–Health professional version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/hp/breast-ovarian-genetics-pdq

11. Siegel, R. L., Miller, K. D., Fuchs, H. E., & Jemal, A. (2022). Cancer statistics, 2022. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 72(1), 7–33. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21708

12. Sung, H., DeSantis, C., & Jemal, A. (2020). Subtype-specific breast cancer incidence rates in Black versus White men in the United States. JNCI Cancer Spectrum, 4(1), Article pkz091. https://doi.org/10.1093/jncics/pkz091

13. U.S. Cancer Statistics. (n.d.). U.S. cancer statistics data visualizations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uscs/dataviz/

14. World Health Organization. (2024). Breast cancer. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer

15. World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2024). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer today. https://gco.iarc.who.int/today/

 

MBC GLOBAL ALLIANCE FALL WEBINAR: THE GENETIC BLUEPRINT

Featuring: Dr Kara Maxwell & Harvey Singer

THE GENE MEN CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE

Dr. Kara Maxwell and Male Breast Cancer Survivor Harvey Singer Bring BRCA, Screening and Family Risk Into Focus

UNCOVERED | Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance
Special Report | September 22, 2026

PROLOGUE

For decades, public understanding of BRCA mutations has largely been shaped through the lens of women, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. That narrative is incomplete. Men inherit BRCA mutations. Men transmit them to their children. And for some men, these inherited mutations can significantly alter their risks for breast, prostate, pancreatic and other cancers.

On September 22, 2026, Dr. Kara Maxwell, Director of the Men & BRCA Program at the Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine, presented an extensive educational discussion on what genetics now means for men. Joining the conversation was Harvey Singer, a male breast cancer survivor, BRCA2 mutation carrier and longtime advocate whose own family history provided a remarkable real-world counterpart to Maxwell’s scientific presentation.

Together, physician and survivor delivered a message that deserves greater attention: understanding inherited cancer risk is not simply about predicting disease. It can provide an opportunity to screen differently, communicate with family members, advocate for appropriate care and potentially identify cancer earlier.

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BRCA IS NOT JUST A WOMEN’S HEALTH ISSUE

Dr. Kara Maxwell approached the subject by first addressing one of its most persistent misconceptions: BRCA mutations are not “female genes.”

Maxwell directs the Men & BRCA Program at the Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine. Her work focuses on inherited cancer susceptibility, including the relationship between BRCA mutations and cancers affecting men. The program was created to expand research, clinical care and education surrounding men with BRCA mutations—an area historically overshadowed by the much greater public attention given to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in women. Penn Medicine similarly describes a continuing knowledge gap concerning BRCA and men.

Maxwell began her September presentation with a primer on genetics, explaining how variants and mutations in DNA can affect the function of proteins and, in some cases, increase susceptibility to cancer. She stressed an especially important concept: genetic medicine is continually changing.

Testing performed years ago may not have examined the same number of genes or types of variants detectable by contemporary technology. For that reason, an individual who underwent genetic testing years earlier should not necessarily assume that the subject is permanently closed.

The implications are particularly important for male breast cancer survivors.

Maxwell emphasized that men diagnosed with breast cancer should undergo germline genetic testing regardless of age or family history. She also discussed genetic evaluation in prostate and pancreatic cancer and explained how family histories of breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancers may provide important clues to inherited cancer susceptibility.

The family history must include both sides of the family. A pathogenic BRCA mutation can be inherited from either the mother or father and transmitted by either men or women.

DR. KARA MAXWELL

“Many men do not think that they need to get genetic testing, that the breast cancer gene is a female gene, it can only be passed through mothers, it only affects women, and none of those things are true.”

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TESTING IS CHANGING—AND YESTERDAY’S TEST MAY NOT BE ENOUGH

One of the most consequential portions of Maxwell’s presentation involved the evolution of genetic testing itself.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 remain central to hereditary breast cancer discussions, but Maxwell also addressed genes including PALB2, ATM and CHEK2. She explained that laboratories and genetic panels have changed over time and that older tests may not have evaluated all the genetic alterations detectable today.

This makes the actual genetic-testing report important. Patients should know what type of testing they received, which genes were examined and whether subsequent advances might justify updated testing.

The problem is not merely theoretical.

Maxwell discussed research examining thousands of men with cancers including breast, pancreatic and metastatic prostate cancer. Even among men with breast cancer—where genetic testing recommendations have existed for years—the testing rates she presented remained inadequate. Her central conclusion was direct: not enough men with breast cancer are receiving genetic testing.

That gap represents more than a missed scientific opportunity. A genetic result can influence surveillance, treatment, future cancer risk assessment and decisions affecting an entire biological family.

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HARVEY SINGER: WHEN A GENETIC LESSON BECOMES A FAMILY STORY

Harvey Singer gave Maxwell’s presentation an extraordinary human dimension.

Singer is a male breast cancer survivor, BRCA2 mutation carrier and advocate. During the discussion, he described a family history that seemed almost to illustrate Maxwell’s presentation in real time.

His younger sister, a four-time breast cancer survivor, was known to carry the BRCA mutation. Singer himself was subsequently diagnosed with male breast cancer and later prostate cancer. His older brother, also BRCA2-positive, developed pancreatic cancer.

Yet Singer acknowledged that when he was initially warned that he might carry the mutation, he reacted much like many other men.

Breast cancer did not seem like a disease that should concern him.

It did.

Singer eventually learned that he carried BRCA2. His understanding of cancer risk changed dramatically. Screening was no longer simply routine healthcare; it became a personalized surveillance strategy informed by genetics and family history.

HARVEY SINGER

“Having an understanding of carrying a mutation allows you to screen effectively.”

Singer described learning to monitor his health differently, including breast, prostate and pancreatic surveillance. He also spoke about another difficult aspect of hereditary cancer: telling family members.

His two sons responded differently to the possibility of genetic testing. One wanted to be tested quickly. The other waited years.

That hesitation, Singer suggested, is part of the challenge. Some individuals fear that knowing about a mutation will cause them to live under the shadow of cancer. Yet his experience demonstrates the alternative interpretation: knowledge can provide an opportunity to act.

Singer’s mother also struggled with guilt over having passed the mutation to her children. Maxwell responded to that concern by emphasizing that inherited mutations are not anyone’s fault. What matters clinically is recognizing risk and giving relatives an opportunity to make informed decisions.

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SCREENING IS NOT ABOUT FINDING MORE CANCER. IT IS ABOUT FINDING IT EARLIER.

The interaction between Maxwell and Singer produced perhaps the most important message of the program.

Cancer surveillance should not be understood simply as an effort to “find cancer.” Its value is the possibility of identifying disease earlier, when treatment choices and outcomes may be different.

Maxwell noted that treatments themselves can carry significant physical burdens. Earlier detection may influence how extensive treatment must become and how profoundly cancer disrupts a person’s life.

She also challenged another persistent misconception: men can undergo mammography.

Men have breast tissue, and mammography can be performed in men. Maxwell discussed the continuing research surrounding mammographic surveillance in male BRCA carriers and expressed strong support during the discussion for mammography among male breast cancer survivors.

The presentation also addressed a subject rarely included in public discussions of male breast cancer: reconstruction.

Men undergoing breast cancer surgery may have options involving scar revision, fat grafting, implants, tissue reconstruction and nipple reconstruction or tattooing. Maxwell noted that some male patients were never informed that reconstructive options existed.

The issue extends beyond appearance. It speaks to dignity, body image and quality of life after cancer.

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A PROBLEM WITHIN HEALTHCARE ITSELF

Singer also directed attention toward the healthcare system.

Throughout his cancer experience, he said he encountered healthcare professionals who were surprised that a man could develop breast cancer.

His observation raises a significant educational concern. Male breast cancer is rare, but rarity should not translate into invisibility.

Singer argued that male breast cancer needs greater inclusion in medical education and primary care. Men themselves may not know to ask about their breasts during routine examinations, while clinicians may not routinely examine male breast tissue or discuss hereditary breast cancer risk.

Maxwell agreed that genetics needs greater integration into primary care, including stronger family-history assessment and clinicians who are sufficiently familiar with hereditary cancer syndromes to recognize when genetic evaluation is appropriate.

That issue becomes increasingly important as genetic science grows more complex.

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WHY DR. MAXWELL’S PRESENTATION MATTERS

The importance of Maxwell’s September 22 presentation was not simply the amount of genetic information presented. Its greater value was the way she connected genetics to action.

A BRCA result is not merely a laboratory finding.

It can influence breast surveillance. It can affect prostate and pancreatic cancer risk assessment. It may influence certain treatment decisions. It can lead relatives to genetic counseling. It can change how a family interprets generations of cancer diagnoses that previously appeared unrelated.

Maxwell’s presentation also challenged the concept that a negative genetic test necessarily ends the investigation. Genetic knowledge is still developing. New cancer-associated genes continue to be studied, variants are reclassified and testing technology continues to improve. Family history therefore remains important even when testing has not identified a clearly pathogenic mutation.

Current Basser Center guidance likewise emphasizes that BRCA mutations in men are associated particularly with breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer risk and that genetic testing, cancer-risk management and early detection can be lifesaving.

Harvey Singer provided the living counterpart to that science.

His breast cancer, prostate cancer, BRCA2 status and family history transformed Maxwell’s discussion from genetic theory into a recognizable human story.

As Maxwell observed during their exchange, the two had not coordinated Singer’s story to match her presentation. It simply did.

That may have been the most powerful lesson of the program.

Genetics is not abstract when it appears across generations of a family. It becomes a tool for understanding what happened—and potentially changing what happens next.

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PULL QUOTE | DR. KARA MAXWELL

“The screening gives you the power to find it early.”

Early detection, Maxwell emphasized, is not simply about identifying disease. It may change treatment and reduce the impact cancer has on a patient’s life.

PULL QUOTE | HARVEY SINGER

“Knowing your risks… and knowing how to advocate for yourself with those risks are imperative.”

Singer’s experience illustrates how genetic information can transform a survivor from a passive recipient of care into an informed participant in lifelong surveillance.

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WHAT MEN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BRCA

UNCOVERED Educational Brief

BRCA is not exclusively about women. Men can inherit BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations and can pass them to sons or daughters.

Male breast cancer matters genetically. Men diagnosed with breast cancer should discuss germline genetic testing with their healthcare team. Maxwell emphasized during the presentation that male breast cancer itself is an indication for genetic evaluation.

Look at both sides of the family. Cancer history on a father’s side is just as relevant as history on a mother’s side. Breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate and male breast cancers within a family may provide important clues.

Older genetic testing may warrant another conversation. Genetic panels and technology have changed substantially. Someone tested years ago should discuss with a genetics professional whether the original testing remains adequate.

BRCA can involve more than breast cancer. In men, pathogenic BRCA mutations can also be associated with increased risks of prostate and pancreatic cancers. BRCA2 is particularly important in discussions of male cancer risk.

Men can have mammograms. Male breast tissue can be imaged. The appropriate screening plan depends upon individual risk, personal cancer history, genetic status and medical guidance.

Genetic information affects families. A positive result may have implications for siblings, children and other biological relatives. Genetic counseling can help families understand what a result means and whether relatives should consider testing.

A negative result does not erase family history. Genetics continues to evolve. Screening decisions may still be influenced by a significant personal or family cancer history.

Know the report—not simply “positive” or “negative.” Patients should understand which genes were tested, what type of test was performed and whether a variant of uncertain significance was identified.

Knowledge creates options. Genetic information can help guide surveillance, conversations with healthcare professionals, treatment considerations and family communication.

THE MESSAGE

For men, BRCA awareness should not create fear. It should create informed vigilance.

As the September 22, 2026 discussion between Dr. Kara Maxwell and Harvey Singer demonstrated, genetics can connect generations of cancer history—but it can also provide families with something earlier generations may never have had:

the opportunity to know, to screen, to advocate and to act.

Educational reporting based on the September 22, 2026 presentation and discussion featuring Dr. Kara Maxwell and Harvey Singer. This article is intended for educational and informational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice, genetic counseling, diagnosis or treatment.

 

CASES & MORTALITY: TRACKING THE NUMBERS

MALE BREAST CANCER: THE NUMBERS, THE KNOWLEDGE GAP, AND THE NEW REASONS FOR HOPE

Written by: Carmen R. DeWitt / National Cancer Collective

2026 U.S. estimates reveal the continuing burden of male breast cancer, while advances in research, growing public awareness, and survivor advocacy offer opportunities to improve detection, treatment, and survival. A Special Report from the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance October 2026 | Male Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

The Numbers Tell a Story. But Are We Hearing the Whole Story?

An estimated 2,670 American men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2026, and approximately 530 will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Although male breast cancer represents fewer than 1% of all U.S. breast cancer diagnoses, these figures underscore a persistent public health challenge: a disease that remains insufficiently recognized among men and frequently receives attention only after diagnosis.

New educational graphics developed by the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance (MBCGA), examining ACS annual estimates from 2008 through 2026, illustrate both the changing reported burden and the importance of understanding what these statistics actually measure.

 

2026 U.S. MALE BREAST CANCER ESTIMATES

2,670 Estimated new cases

530 Estimated deaths

Source: American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2026.

The historical comparison is revealing. In 2008, ACS projected approximately 1,990 new cases and 450 deaths among American men. By 2023, those annual projections had reached 2,800 new cases and 530 deaths. The 2026 projections represent approximately 34% more new diagnoses than the 2008 estimate.

Importantly, these figures do not establish that the underlying incidence rate has increased by the same percentage. Changes in population size, age distribution, statistical methods, and disease occurrence can all influence annual estimates.

The most recent four-year comparison shows projected new cases fluctuating between 2,670 and 2,800, while estimated annual deaths have remained close to 530.

 

Behind the Statistics: Why Counting Matters

Understanding how cancer statistics are produced is essential to interpreting them responsibly.

The American Cancer Society develops annual projections using historical cancer incidence and mortality information. These projections are necessary because comprehensive national cancer reporting typically lags several years behind the current calendar year. Consequently, the 2026 figures are estimates rather than confirmed counts of men diagnosed or deceased during 2026.

However, another challenge exists beyond statistical reporting: ensuring that men recognize symptoms, seek medical evaluation, and receive appropriate diagnoses.

Men may dismiss a breast lump, misunderstand their personal risk, or hesitate to discuss symptoms because breast cancer is commonly perceived as a women's disease. These barriers can contribute to delayed diagnosis and reinforce the need for targeted education.

The National Cancer Institute reports that male breast cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage than female breast cancer. This makes early recognition and timely medical evaluation particularly important.

 

Giving Men a Voice—and a Place in the Data

For Cheri Ambrose, founder of the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance, the statistics raise an important question: How can researchers fully understand male breast cancer when men themselves remain insufficiently represented in awareness campaigns, research participation, and public conversations?

Her advocacy highlights an important distinction. Diagnosed cancers are generally reportable to cancer registries; men do not have to publicly disclose their diagnoses to be counted. However, men who delay seeking medical attention may remain undiagnosed, and those who do not participate in research or advocacy may be absent from other valuable sources of information.

"Our challenge is not simply counting the men who receive a diagnosis. It is reaching those who do not recognize the symptoms, those who are reluctant to seek help, and those whose experiences have never been heard. We need better information, greater participation, and a community where every man feels comfortable coming forward."

A second proposed statement emphasizes the opportunity created by growing awareness. "There is tremendous hope in seeing more men willing to share their stories. Every conversation can encourage another man to seek medical attention. Every patient who participates in research helps us better understand this disease. Awareness is how we begin changing the future."

 

How Cancer Data Are Actually Collected

The latest federal cancer surveillance information provides important context. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute jointly support population-based cancer registries. Hospitals, physicians, pathology laboratories, and other healthcare facilities contribute diagnostic information, while national mortality statistics draw on death records.

The June 2026 federal data release includes cancer diagnoses through 2023. Its quality-controlled registry information covers the entire U.S. population for that diagnosis year. This provides an increasingly comprehensive foundation for understanding cancer incidence, although reporting delays and differences in participation in research remain important considerations.

 

Research Is Creating New Reasons for Hope

Perhaps the most encouraging development is the recognition that male breast cancer deserves greater representation in clinical research. Historically, men were frequently excluded from breast cancer treatment trials. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has addressed this disparity by recommending that clinical trials include both men and women unless a scientific justification supports exclusion.

This represents a meaningful change in research expectations, creating opportunities to generate treatment evidence directly relevant to male patients.

Genetic counseling and testing also offer opportunities to identify inherited cancer susceptibility and inform personalized care. Meanwhile, improved understanding of tumor biology and established breast cancer therapies provides a foundation for further male-specific investigation.

Early detection remains especially important. According to the National Cancer Institute, five-year relative survival for localized male breast cancer is approximately 95%, compared with 20% for metastatic disease. These figures reinforce the importance of recognizing symptoms and obtaining prompt medical evaluation.

 

Beyond Awareness: Building a Stronger Tomorrow

For MBCGA, the next chapter must extend beyond increasing public recognition. Greater collaboration among survivors, clinicians, researchers, advocacy organizations, and healthcare institutions can help address longstanding gaps in education, clinical participation, and survivorship support.

As more men speak publicly, their experiences can help shape research priorities and encourage others to recognize symptoms and seek care. Their participation can also strengthen patient-centered research and improve understanding of the challenges associated with living beyond diagnosis.

The 2026 estimates remind us that hundreds of American men continue to die from breast cancer each year. But the expansion of research participation, genetic knowledge, and community advocacy provides tangible reasons for hope. The objective is not simply to count more men. It is to reach them earlier, understand their disease more completely, and ultimately save more lives.

References and Further Reading

1.  American Cancer Society. (2026). Cancer facts & figures 2026. https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/2026-cancer-facts-figures.html

   2. American Cancer Society. (2026). Key statistics for breast cancer in men. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer-in-men/key-statistics.html

   3. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Cancer facts and statistics. https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics.html

   4. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Male breast cancer treatment (PDQ®)–Health professional version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/hp/male-breast-treatment-pdq

   5. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Cancer stat facts: Male breast cancer. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/maleb.html

   6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). United States cancer statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/united-states-cancer-statistics/

   7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). U.S. cancer statistics: Incidence data sources. https://www.cdc.gov/united-states-cancer-statistics/technical-notes/incidence-data-sources.html

   8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Male breast cancer: Developing drugs for treatment. Guidance for industry. https://www.fda.gov/media/130061/download

   9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Men with breast cancer need more treatment options and access to genetic counseling. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/men-breast-cancer-need-more-treatment-options-and-access-genetic-counseling

   10. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Breast cancer survival rates in men. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer-in-men/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html

   11. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Breast cancer in men. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/male-breast-cancer

© 2026 Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance (MBCGA). All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT, RESEARCH ATTRIBUTION & EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER

This article was prepared by the writers and reporters of UNCOVERED, a publication of the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance (MBCGA), as part of an academic research, public education, and cancer awareness initiative.

The statistical data, research findings, and scientific information presented in this report were obtained from the publicly available sources identified in the references below. MBCGA acknowledges the original authors, researchers, institutions, and organizations responsible for these publications.

While reasonable efforts have been made to accurately represent the referenced materials, MBCGA does not independently verify, guarantee, warrant, or assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or continued validity of third-party data, research findings, projections, or conclusions. The inclusion of referenced information does not constitute an endorsement of every finding or interpretation.

This publication is intended exclusively for educational, informational, and awareness purposes. Its contents should not be interpreted as medical advice or as a substitute for professional medical consultation. Opinions and editorial interpretations expressed in this article are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the positions of the referenced institutions.

Source attribution: All external research materials and statistical sources are acknowledged in the references accompanying this article.

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