A HISTORY OF BIAS IN THE CANCER WARS (part 2)
What makes this legislative progress even more timely is the emergence of technologies tailored to minimize invasive procedures — breakthroughs that are especially welcome for men, many of whom avoid traditional breast screening methods.
“In Europe and Canada, they’ve been using thermal imaging and ultrasound elastography for years,” Bard noted. “These techniques detect tumors by measuring heat and tissue stiffness, with no radiation, no pain, no compression.”Ambrose reacted to these revelations with palpable excitement. “It’s incredible to think men might never have to endure a mammogram or biopsy again,” she said. “This is what advocacy should lead to — not just policy change, but clinical innovation.”
To understand the significance of this moment, one must understand the deeply rooted bias that has defined cancer care. Bard, a veteran diagnostic specialist, described how male breast cancer has long been dismissed in both public consciousness and medical practice. “Men are told to get a colonoscopy at 50 — and that’s it,” he said. “Nobody talks about their risk for breast cancer. It’s been treated as a woman’s disease, period.”
The result? Delayed diagnoses, advanced-stage tumors, and preventable deaths.
Ambrose pointed out the isolating experience male patients endure in clinical settings designed exclusively for women. “Imagine being a man in a waiting room at a women’s breast center, surrounded by 50 women, with everyone staring,” she said. “That’s enough to keep a lot of men from ever getting checked.”
It’s a bias reinforced by years of underreporting and lack of male-specific advocacy. Bard added, “In medicine, what isn’t talked about doesn’t get researched, and what isn’t researched doesn’t get funded. That’s how health disparities endure.”
A GLOBAL MOVEMENT, ONE STATE AT A TIME
The Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance didn’t earn its name casually. For over a decade, Ambrose has worked internationally, connecting male survivors, collecting their stories, and advocating for awareness in countries from Canada to Australia. Back home, she spearheaded a campaign that convinced 45 U.S. governors to declare the third week of October as Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week, culminating in a federal recognition by President Joe Biden in 2021.
Her strategy? Start local. Build momentum. Make noise. “This bill is the same playbook,” she explained. “We’ll go state by state, one after another, until this is a national standard. And then we’ll take it to Washington.”
THE POIGNANT REALITY: THE BIAS STILL KILLSWhile progress is tangible, both Ambrose and Bard are quick to remind us that bias in medicine has life-or-death consequences. “Delayed diagnosis kills,” Bard emphasized. “The tragedy is that so many of these cases are treatable — if caught early.”Ambrose reflected on the men she’s met along the way — those who found tumors by accident, those misdiagnosed, those who were told ‘it’s probably nothing.’ “These men deserve better,” she said. “They deserve to have their stories told, their risk acknowledged, and their lives valued.”
CONCLUSION: A NEW CHAPTER, BUT THE SAME FIGHT
The passage of Pennsylvania’s House Bill 433 is a victory — but it’s also a call to action. It reminds us that systemic bias can be undone, but only through unrelenting advocacy, public pressure, and innovation.Dr. Bard summed up the moment’s meaning. “This isn’t just about male breast cancer. It’s about how medicine can’t afford to ignore people because of gender, age, or assumptions. Advocacy works. Change is possible.”
For Cheri Ambrose, the mission continues. “It’s not enough for Pennsylvania to get it right,” she said. “We need every state. Every country. Every hospital. And we’re going to get there — one story, one patient, and one law at a time.”
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THIS MESSAGE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MALE BREAST CANCER GLOBAL ALLIANCE
The Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance (MBCGA) is leading the charge in awareness, education, and support for men affected by this disease. This organization has built a worldwide network of survivors, advocates, researchers, and healthcare professionals working to shatter the stigma and silence surrounding male breast cancer. They’ve played a crucial role in pushing for more inclusive research, advancing public health messaging, and ensuring men have access to the resources they need. Through tireless advocacy and collaboration, MBCGA has helped get male breast cancer recognized in global cancer policy and has elevated the voices of countless survivors. Their data-driven campaigns and survivor-led storytelling have reached millions, and their partnership with Bard Diagnostics is all about scaling that impact through accessible genetic testing.
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Under a dedicated partnership with the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance, BARDDIAGNOSTICS established key programs including: EARLIER DETECTION, PREDISPOSITION GENE TESTING, FIGHT RECURRENCE, ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE AND THE 2ND OPINION SCAN. For the many MEN who seek a significantly improved lifestyle or an upgrade in personalized healthcare, getting better answers about your state of health is paramount and IT ALL STARTS WITH STATE OF THE ART DIAGNOSTICS. The visionary paradigm that makes up true personalized medical care involves the integration between modalities, a collaboration between specialists and an upgrade in their strategic approach and you'll find it all at BardDiagnostics.
UNCOVERED – Shedding Light on Male Breast Cancer
The first official newsletter from the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance, launched in proud partnership with AngioMedical Media and the Integrative Cancer Resource Society. Rooted in the belief that
education is power,
UNCOVERED delivers essential news, scientific updates, and survivor stories to inform and inspire. Each issue is packed with the latest in male breast cancer research, treatment innovations, and advocacy efforts from around the globe. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or medical professional,
UNCOVERED is your trusted source for facts and forward-thinking perspectives. Join us in uncovering the truth—and empowering lives through knowledge. (
visit our regularly updated Newsletter)
The INTEGRATIVE CANCER RESOURCE SOCIETY is a self-funded (Linkedin Based) independent volunteer group of non-profit foundations/charities, researchers, educators, community leaders and survivors. Under the spirit of collaboration and partnership, we are joined to bring a new level of support to cancer patients, survivors and all those seeking current information about cancer care. We form a unique network of support for one another- while driven to help those who need additional resources, technical updates or empowerment on the road to recovery. ICRS uses the power of the "interweb" to reach a global audience and a network of resources beyond our local borders. We have engaged some of the most impressive minds, perspectives and resources and enjoyed the exchange of vital information that is useful to all. Thanks in part to digital collaboration, these "foreign" connections have always been a part of our cancer crusade, now joining us in what we call "BORDERLESS MEDICINE".
In great support of a the global movement of NON-INVASIVE medicine, we proudly introduce the INTEGRATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER by AngioInnovation Research (501c3). This New York city-based diagnostic imaging validation lab is established to clinically identify the efficacy, performance and supportive claims set by non-invasive therapeutics and diagnostic solutions. Co-founded by Dr. Robert L. Bard, the IHRC offers a non-profit, non-commercialized testing option for health-related innovations who seek an independent and impartial reporting through single-case pilot studies or IRB-Based clinical trials. The IHRC employs credentialed medical professionals and specialists in clinical research whose experience contributes to the unique strategic approach of each test study. (Visit:
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