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Did you know men can get breast cancer too?

By Simon Mossman posted 17-10-2025 10:55

  
As we mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to shine a light on male breast cancer - rare, but real, and often under-recognised.
Here are some key stats (Victoria / Australia) to help us all understand better:
Key Statistics
  • In Victoria in 2023, there were 5,197 new breast cancer diagnoses. Of these, 52 were men - about 1% of all cases in the state. Cancer Council Victoria
  • The diagnosis rate for men in Victoria is approximately 1.3 per 100,000 males; for females, it’s much higher — around 128.5 per 100,000 females. Cancer Council Victoria
  • Median age at diagnosis in Victoria: 69 years for men, 61 years for women. Cancer Council Victoria
  • Across Australia in 2022, out of roughly 20,640 new breast cancer cases, 212 were men. Cancer Australia+2Breast Cancer Trials+2
  • Male breast cancer accounts for just under 1% of all breast cancer cases in Australia. Breast Cancer Trials+1
  • The 5-year relative survival rate for men diagnosed with breast cancer is approximately 87%. Breast Cancer Trials+1
Why this matters
Because men have much less breast tissue, any lump, skin change, nipple discharge or other odd symptom in the breast or chest area can be a warning sign. But because male breast cancer is rare, awareness is often low — which can delay diagnosis. Early detection improves outcomes significantly.
What you can do / What we can all do
  • Spread awareness that breast cancer is not just a “women’s disease.”
  • Encourage self-examination and for people to check and seek medical advice if something feels off.
  • Support funding and research for male breast cancer, since much of what we know comes from studies focused on female breast cancer.
Find out more about Breast Cancer in Men and other Breast Cancer resources can be found here:
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