Over the period spanning 2020 to 2022, Patna Medical College Hospital recorded three instances of male breast cancer (MBC) and 117 cases of breast cancer in women. While the symptoms of male and female breast cancer appear similar, there is a significant contrast in the age group affected. Typically, MBC is identified in older individuals, primarily at the age of 50 and beyond, whereas female breast cancer cases are more prevalent in the 30-40 age range.
In a recent development, Patna Medical College Hospital documented three cases of male breast cancer (MBC) between 2020 and 2022. During the same period, 117 women were diagnosed with breast cancer at the hospital. Dr. Ravi Byahut, the head of the hospital’s cancer department, pointed out the similarity in symptoms but highlighted the difference in the age at which MBC and female breast cancer cases are usually detected.
At the State Cancer Institute, a total of 11 cases of MBC were identified since September of the previous year, alongside 578 diagnoses of breast cancer in women, as reported by Dr. Rajesh Kumar Singh, the chief of the institution. He emphasized that leading an active lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight could potentially reduce the occurrence of MBC.
Dr. Ridu Sharma, an oncologist associated with a private cancer hospital, provided concerning statistics. She noted, “In our country, one new case of breast cancer is identified every fourth minute, with one woman succumbing to the disease every fourteenth minute.” Although MBC cases are rare, they are equally severe. Dr. Sharma highlighted that elderly individuals over the age of 70 face the greatest risks during treatments involving chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy due to their internal resilience and immune capabilities.
