"Male Breast Cancer: The Silent Surge Men Can’t Afford to Ignore"

A Physician’s Mission to Expose, Detect, and Defend Against an Overlooked Crisis

By Robert L. Bard, MD - Diagnostic Imaging Specialist | Cancer Research Advocate

Introduction: Breaking the Silence on a Misunderstood Threat - The mention of “breast cancer” typically conjures an image of a woman—an understandable reaction shaped by decades of awareness campaigns and pink-ribbon advocacy. But breast cancer is not exclusive to women. It happens in men too, and more often than many realize. The most dangerous part? Most male patients—and their doctors—don’t see it coming.

As a cancer imaging specialist, I’ve spent decades on the frontlines of early detection. What alarms me isn’t just the number of male breast cancer (MBC) cases I’ve encountered, but how easily they are missed, misdiagnosed, or outright ignored. That’s not due to biology—it’s due to bias and a critical lack of data. As I often say, “It’s only rare because of the lack of data.” That absence of awareness is costing lives, and it’s time we change that.

What Is Male Breast Cancer—and Why Aren’t We Talking About It? - Male breast cancer occurs when malignant cells form in the tissues of the male breast—yes, men do have breast tissue. While it accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses, its mortality rate is disproportionately high because most cases are discovered late. Symptoms often go unreported, overlooked, or dismissed until the disease has progressed.

Historical Blind Spots and Gender Bias - For decades, male breast cancer has fallen through the cracks of public health research and screening guidelines. With studies historically focused on women, male-specific risks and diagnostic patterns remain poorly understood. This has led to a deep-rooted and dangerous misconception: that breast cancer is solely a “woman’s disease.” But cancer is biologically indifferent—it targets tissue, not gender identity.

Global Perspective and Growing Numbers - International data reveals a slow but steady rise in male breast cancer cases. However, due to inconsistent reporting and the lack of routine male screening, the true global burden is underestimated. These silent statistics underscore the urgent need for universal awareness and inclusive diagnostic strategies—ones that are not restricted by borders, or by bias.

A New Era of Imaging: Changing the Narrative with Technology - Advanced imaging is one of the most powerful tools in reversing the tide of male breast cancer. As a pioneer in diagnostic ultrasound, I’ve seen firsthand how high-resolution, non-invasive scans can detect abnormalities long before they become life-threatening.

Technologies like thermal imaging, B-mode ultrasound, Doppler scanning, and elastography have all enhanced our ability to visualize tumors and vascular patterns in male breast tissue. These tools are not only faster and safer than traditional biopsies—they offer real-time insights that enable early, decisive action.

By adopting proactive imaging protocols for men—especially those with family history, hormone imbalances, or unexplained chest masses—we can shift the paradigm from reactive diagnosis to proactive health preservation.

What Makes MBC Different in Men? - Unlike women, men are not typically screened for breast cancer. With less breast tissue, tumors are often closer to the chest wall, increasing the risk of deeper invasion. Compounding this is the fact that men tend to delay seeking medical attention—often due to embarrassment, misperceptions, or a lack of awareness.

Hormonal differences also play a crucial role. While estrogen is a known factor in breast cancer development, we’re witnessing a disturbing rise in testosterone-related complications. In collaboration with endocrinologist Dr. Angela Mazza, I’ve explored mounting evidence linking hormone modulation—particularly synthetic testosterone used in bodybuilding—to elevated cancer risk.

When men self-medicate with anabolic steroids, they disrupt their endocrine balance. This may trigger estrogenic pathways or inflammatory processes that promote breast tissue proliferation and tumor formation. Moreover, thyroid dysfunction—often unexamined in this context—can exacerbate these hormonal imbalances and should be a standard part of any risk assessment.

The Mission of the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance - The Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance (MBCGA) exists to rewrite the narrative around MBC. As one of its active supporters, I see our work as far more than advocacy—it’s a movement. MBCGA champions data collection, patient support, and clinical innovation through global partnerships and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Together, we are establishing new standards: hormonal screening for at-risk men, comprehensive imaging protocols, and public education initiatives tailored to male populations. This alliance is helping fill the massive void left by decades of gendered oversight in cancer care. As I’ve often told my colleagues and patients alike, “It’s not just about detecting disease—it’s about protecting lives through education, partnership, and persistence.”

Need for Improved Programming - The lack of research, data, and early screening programs for male breast cancer is not just an academic oversight—it’s a public health emergency. My diagnostic practice now includes initiatives that specifically target this gap. I’ve established national and international programs to raise awareness, expand imaging access, and build registries that give researchers the tools they need. Every patient missed is a life potentially lost. We must build data. We must build awareness. We must build systems that include everyone at risk.

 

Conclusion: Let’s Redefine the Norms—Before More Lives Are Lost:  We are living in an era of unparalleled medical tools—precision diagnostics, advanced imaging, integrative endocrinology. There is no longer an excuse for ignorance. Male breast cancer isn’t a statistical outlier—it’s a dangerously underestimated reality that has lived too long in the shadows.

If we are to save lives, we must update our clinical radar, erase the gender bias in our protocols, and embrace technological innovation as our first line of defense. Breast cancer advocacy must evolve from being color-coded and gendered to truly inclusive. 

Because cancer doesn’t discriminate—and neither should we.

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SPOTLIGHT: THE BATTLE IS ON

The MBCGA honors David Engle. It's been a unique and rewarding journey to meet and document the countless stories of those afflicted with Male Breast Cancer. In our website, we bring you the many unsung advocates that offer their compelling experience with the hopes of saving others. 

"I was 70 years old when I was diagnosed. My double mastectomy was deemed a success with clear surgical margins and minimal lymphatic involvement. I did not require radiation therapy or chemotherapy subsequent to my surgery. I will be taking tamoxifen for up to 5 years as a precautionary measure against recurrence. So far, I’ve managed the side effects of this drug without too much difficulty." - Check out his complete story @ https://mbcglobalalliance.org/stories/david-engle/

ALSO, JOIN OUR ONLINE MBC GLOBAL ALLIANCE GROUP ON LINKEDIN @: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8877080/

“DROP THE BIAS” is the campaign and battle cry of the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance—a bold call to end the harmful misconception that breast cancer is a “women-only” disease. This bias in medicine, media, and society creates dangerous blind spots in care, leaving men misdiagnosed, undertreated, or ignored. It limits access to screening, support, and survivor recognition. But bias also lives within—men often avoid seeking help out of fear, stigma, or shame. “DROP THE BIAS” confronts this cultural and clinical oversight head-on, urging the world to recognize that men get breast cancer too. The campaign is not just about awareness—it’s about action. By challenging outdated assumptions, educating providers, empowering survivors, and opening dialogue, the Alliance aims to rewrite the narrative and save lives. “DROP THE BIAS” is a mission, a movement, and a message to all: equity in cancer care starts with truth.

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