GLOBAL ALLIANCES FOR A GROWING CRISIS

Historic Meeting Links MBC Global Alliance and Kenya’s Hands of Love Initiative

By the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance News Desk
November 2025

In a landmark step toward international solidarity in the fight against male breast cancer (MBC), Cheri Ambrose, CEO of the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance (MBCGA), and Lennard M. Goetze, Ed.D., Director of International Affairs, met today with Rev. Samwel Starlin, President and CEO of the Hands of Love Initiative in Migori, Kenya. What emerged from this cross-continental meeting was more than a moment of diplomacy—it was the forging of a strategic alliance poised to strengthen MBC awareness, early detection, research collaboration, and clinical education across Africa.

For an illness long overlooked, under-reported, and chronically under-funded, the union of two mission-driven leaders on separate sides of the world signals an unprecedented milestone. It reflects a growing reality that male breast cancer is not confined to Western statistics; it is a global burden—and the fight against it must be equally global.

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The Convergence of Two Missions

Rev. Samwel Starlin, an internationally active humanitarian and health advocate, leads the Hands of Love Initiative—a grassroots organization with reach across Kenya and neighboring countries. Known for addressing health disparities in underserved populations, Rev. Starlin has elevated male breast cancer to a priority in his multi-national crusade after witnessing a rising number of late-stage cases in men throughout rural Kenya.

“The cases are real, the suffering is real, and the silence around male breast cancer is deeply concerning,” he expressed during the meeting. In many regions of East Africa, men still resist reporting symptoms such as lumps, chest pain, or nipple discharge due to stigma, lack of information, or misconceptions that breast cancer is exclusively a women’s disease. As a result, most male cases present at Stage III or Stage IV.

Ambrose noted that this pattern closely mirrors early-stage data collected from underserved areas in Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. “Male breast cancer is rising globally, but the awareness has not caught up,” she said. “We must close that gap—and we cannot close it without international partnerships.”

The meeting served as a powerful alignment of missions: Hands of Love brings on-the-ground community access and a direct view into the obstacles men face in Kenya. The MBC Global Alliance contributes the global network, scientific advisory resources, and advocacy infrastructure needed to accelerate solutions.

A New Ambassadorial Milestone

For the MBC Global Alliance, this meeting marks a new chapter of its expanding international ambassadorial program. Under Lennard Goetze’s direction, the Alliance has developed a strategy to connect with global leaders, community organizations, and medical institutions that can meaningfully influence local cancer outcomes.

Today’s meeting with Rev. Starlin represents one of the strongest demonstrations yet of that strategy in action. “This is not just about awareness,” Goetze emphasized in the discussion. “This is about building a new model of leadership—one that recruits global voices into a unified movement. Male breast cancer does not respect borders, and neither can we.”

Goetze introduced Rev. Starlin to a series of programs designed to integrate medical leadership with real-time education. One of these initiatives focuses on linking top medical advisors—such as renowned cancer imaging specialist Dr. Robert L. Bard, MD- with medical schools abroad. The aim is to elevate a new generation of clinicians with deeper diagnostic insight and a more inclusive understanding of breast cancer presentation in men. “Raising true leadership and scientific vision is a global necessity,” Goetze said. “Our goal is to bring the best expertise directly to the places where it can make the greatest impact.”

Rev. Starlin welcomed this strategy wholeheartedly, stating that Kenya’s medical schools and rural clinical programs are eager for international collaboration—especially in areas involving advanced screening technologies, early detection, and awareness outreach.

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Highlighting a Global Health Crisis

Male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases worldwide, yet the numbers are steadily increasing. According to recent global registries, incidence rates have risen in Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe—often outpacing earlier projections. More critically, survival outcomes remain significantly lower for men due to delayed diagnosis and lack of public education.

In many developing regions, cancer screening programs remain focused almost exclusively on women, leaving men invisible in the data and under-served by the health system. Rev. Starlin described the reality succinctly: “Many men don’t believe they can get breast cancer, so they don’t seek help. By the time they come to us, the disease has already spread.”

This pattern is not isolated to Africa. Ambrose and Goetze acknowledged similar reports from partner groups in India, the Philippines, Brazil, and several Eastern European countries. In nearly every region where MBC is tracked, delayed diagnosis is the single largest factor influencing mortality. “Global solidarity must become the foundation of our movement,” Ambrose stated. “We are at a point in history where no nation can tackle this alone.”

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Educational Exchange: A New Frontier

One of the most forward-thinking developments of the meeting was the agreement to initiate an educational exchange framework between MBC Global Alliance advisors and Kenyan academic institutions. This includes:

• Virtual lectures from global oncology and diagnostic experts such as Dr. Robert Bard (R- Image)

• Case-based discussions to guide clinicians in identifying male breast cancer symptoms

• Training modules on ultrasound-based detection and interpretation

• Development of culturally aligned awareness campaigns for Kenyan communities

• Collaborative outreach events leveraging Hands of Love’s national network

Goetze emphasized that medical students often become the most powerful drivers of change, especially when introduced to issues not commonly included in traditional curricula. “Our next generation of physicians must be taught that breast cancer is not a women-only disease,” he said. “Knowledge is prevention. Knowledge saves lives.”

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A Blueprint for Global Solidarity

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to begin building a cross-continental task force. This unit will coordinate awareness campaigns, patient support pathways, clinical education, and data collection strategies tailored to Kenyan populations.

For the MBC Global Alliance, this partnership is more than symbolic. It serves as a blueprint for future alliances throughout Africa, Asia, South America, and beyond—each strengthening the global fight against male breast cancer.

Rev. Starlin called the collaboration “a blessing and a call to action,” affirming that Kenya is ready to join the broader movement toward international breast cancer education and prevention.

Ambrose agreed, stating:
“This is how change happens—through courage, unity, and the willingness to stand together for those who have been left unseen.”

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A Milestone Marking a New Era

Today’s meeting between Ambrose, Goetze, and Rev. Starlin is more than an administrative accomplishment. It marks a significant shift in how the world approaches male breast cancer—acknowledging it not as a silent phenomenon, but as a global health challenge requiring a united front.

By bridging missions across continents, the MBC Global Alliance has expanded its reach while affirming its commitment to the men who continue to suffer in silence. With Kenya joining the growing family of international partners, the momentum for global advocacy has surged forward.

It is a milestone that redefines what global cancer leadership can look like—and a powerful reminder that when nations link arms, no patient has to face breast cancer alone. 

THE GIFT OF GET-TOGETHERS  In today’s era of Zoom fatigue and digital-only dialogues, nothing rivals the substance of in-person gatherings. Conferences like the ABC Global Alliance’s Advanced Breast Cancer Seventh International Consensus Conference (ABC7), held November 9‑11, 2023, in Lisbon, serve as powerful proof. With over 1,200 participants from nearly 90 countries—clinicians, researchers, advocates, nurses, patients, industry representatives, and policymakers—ABC7 was a melting pot of perspectives and expertise.  Key themes included the latest in endocrine resistance, anti-HER2 therapies for brain metastases, and equitable clinical trial practices. The “Inclusion by Design” poster series and workshop convened stakeholders to discuss improving diversity in trials through 16 actionable recommendations . But the true value was in the hallway conversations and table‑side insights. Over coffee and sit-downs, a researcher exploring endocrine resistance formed a partnership with an advocate passionate about patient education. A clinician from South America connected with a nursing leader from Australia to co-develop support tools. These spontaneous moments often sparked collaborative research proposals and advocacy campaigns across borders. As Cheri Ambrose of the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance observed, “These gatherings are where we see the true magic of alliance‑building—where every story shared and every handshake exchanged strengthens our global fight against cancer.”  Physical get‑togethers like ABC7 aren’t just events—they’re the crucibles of meaningful alliances, the starting point for innovation, empathy, and action that transform global care.

 E P I L O G U E

ACROSS BORDERS, BEYOND BARRIERS:

A Cancer Clinician’s Call to Global Unity

By Robert L. Bard, MD, DABR, FAIUM, FASLMS

Outreach to the international community is more than a mission for me—it has become the heartbeat of my life’s work. As a clinical specialist in cancer imaging, every case I encounter reinforces the truth that cancer does not respect borders, cultures, or geography. What does differ, however, is access: access to education, access to advanced diagnostics, and access to the life-saving awareness that empowers earlier detection. This is why the international partnership model is so essential. It is not charity; it is collaboration. It is not symbolic; it is strategic. And it is the future of global cancer care.

My journey into global medicine began long before I became an imaging specialist. I started my career in the military, stationed in Thailand—an experience that opened my eyes to cultural diversity, medical disparities, and the undeniable strength of community-driven health programs. Later, my continued studies and work throughout Europe exposed me to emerging technologies, interdisciplinary collaborations, and the early seeds of what would become a worldwide push for precision diagnostics. These experiences shaped my understanding that medicine must be shared, not siloed; taught, not guarded; and continuously evolved through international partnership.

Today, that perspective guides my work with the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance and our many partners across continents. I have long believed that advanced diagnostics—ultrasound imaging, Doppler technologies, elastography, and thermographic studies—should not be luxuries reserved for a few industrialized nations. When used properly, these tools are equalizers. They narrow the gap between early detection and late-stage crisis. They empower clinicians with visual information that improves diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient outcomes. And they offer hope in communities where cancer too often goes unrecognized until it is too late.

A critical part of our mission now includes reaching medical students globally—the next generation of scientific thinkers, clinicians, and leaders. We are launching a structured international initiative to provide direct educational access to young physicians in training, bringing them into the conversation early and equipping them with the knowledge that male breast cancer exists, is rising, and requires serious clinical attention. Through virtual symposiums, diagnostic workshops, curriculum modules, and direct mentorship from specialists across the world, we aim to cultivate a new class of medical professionals who are prepared to recognize male breast cancer, understand its unique behavior, and advocate for earlier detection. If awareness is the foundation of survival, then empowering medical students is the most forward-thinking investment we can make for global health.

Our meeting with Rev. Dr. Samuel Starlin represents a significant milestone in this vision. His dedication to serving underserved populations in Kenya, combined with the MBC Global Alliance’s determination to raise worldwide awareness of male breast cancer, creates a powerful synergy. This connection is more than a shared conversation. It is the start of a bridge—one built on mutual respect, shared purpose, and a united desire to bring life-saving tools to every possible corner of the world.

The Republic of Kenya, with its extraordinary resilience and commitment to community health, stands as a vital partner in the next phase of global cancer advocacy. Through collaborative education, technical training, and clinical communication, we have an opportunity to empower both Kenya’s medical institutions and its patients. We look forward to supporting medical schools, rural clinics, teaching hospitals, and emerging leaders in cancer care. And equally important, we aim to support the men and families facing breast cancer—those who have long suffered in silence due to stigma, misinformation, or lack of resources.

This meeting was far more than a diplomatic exchange. It was a moment of genuine solidarity—a joining of hands across continents in the mission to save lives. Every global alliance we build strengthens the safety net for patients everywhere. Every dialogue, every shared dataset, every collaborative publication pushes the world one step closer to earlier detection, better treatments, and greater survival rates.

We honor our great connection with Rev. Dr. Starlin and the Hands of Love Initiative. And we move forward with gratitude, purpose, and unwavering commitment. For me, the work continues—across borders, beyond barriers, and always in the service of a global community that deserves the very best that modern medicine can provide.