Recognition of breast cancer in men as a rare disease

Subject: Recognition of breast cancer in men as a rare disease

Around 11 000 cases of breast cancer are detected each year in Belgium alone. Around 100 of these cases are found in men. They therefore represent an absolute minority of breast cancer cases.

As no distinction is generally made between breast cancer in men and women, men tend to receive the same regular treatment as women with breast cancer. However, scientific evidence1 shows that there are substantial differences in the type of breast cancer afflicting women and men respectively. According to an ‘International Male Breast Cancer Programme’ study, one-third of the men concerned do not receive adequate treatment2. Scientific research and clinical trials specifically relating to breast cancer in men have been negligible. Recognising breast cancer as a rare disease in men can facilitate research and ensure optimal treatment.

Does the Commission agree that breast cancer in men should be officially recognised as a rare illness, given its low incidence and differences with breast cancer in women?

Is the Commission already supporting research or clinical trials relating specifically to breast cancer in men?

In implementing Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, will it seek to help raise awareness of breast cancer amongst men and promote the treatment of this rare disease?

1 Male Breast Cancer Patients Face High Prevalence of CV Disease Risk Factors, 25 January 2021 (www.acc.org). Ravandi-Karshani & Hayes wrote in 1998 that:

'Male breast cancer has biological differences compared with female breast cancer' (Ravandi-Karshani & Hayes, Male Breast Cancer, European Journal of Cancer,

1998, 34, 9, pp. 1341-1347).

2 https://www.eortc.org/blog/2018/02/02/1-out-of-3-men-with-breast-cancer-does-not-receive-adequate-treatment/

Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

(22 July 2021)

1. The Commission is aware that, although it is rare, men can get breast cancer, and that one out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed each year is found in a man. The European Cancer Information System (ECIS) monitors the incidence and mortality for 34 cancer sites in both male and female, but so far reports breast cancer in women only. With the future inclusion of rare cancers in ECIS, the reporting of breast cancer in males will be included. The availability of the indicators for men will complement the figures for women and guide decision making in the area of classification of diseases in accordance with the official international standards.

2. The new research framework programme, Horizon Europe, will offer opportunities to address breast cancer in men through clinical studies, (and possibly under the proposed Mission on cancer).

3. Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan has a holistic approach and addresses the entire pathway of cancer care from prevention to early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and quality of life of cancer patients and cancer survivors, including breast cancer in men.

⋅1∙ Male Breast Cancer Patients Face High Prevalence of CV Disease Risk Factors, 25 January 2021 (www.acc.org). Ravandi-Karshani & Hayes wrote in 1998 that: ‘Male

breast cancer has biological differences compared with female breast cancer’ (Ravandi-Karshani & Hayes, Male Breast Cancer, European Journal of Cancer, 1998, 34, 9, pp. 1341-1347).

⋅2∙ https://www.eortc.org/blog/2018/02/02/1-out-of-3-men-with-breast-cancer-does-not-receive-adequate-treatment/