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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Male breast cancer is rare, but its burden in Europe has grown significantly since 1990, with notable regional differences. Incidence and mortality rose in Central and Western Europe, while Eastern Europe saw declining mortality despite stable incidence. Researchers are calling for better awareness, sex-specific research, and targeted prevention strategies.
Male breast cancer may account for less than 1% of all breast cancers globally, but a new study published in Cancer shows its burden across Europe has grown considerably over the past three decades — and the trends vary widely by region.
Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, researchers tracked incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across Central, Eastern, and Western Europe from 1990 to 2023. Central Europe saw the sharpest rise across all metrics, while Western Europe experienced surging incidence but relatively stable age-standardized mortality. Eastern Europe was the outlier — incidence stayed largely flat and mortality actually declined.
Researchers say the regional differences are striking but not yet fully explained, and are calling for greater awareness among clinicians, genetic counseling for at-risk men, and male-specific clinical trials to fill evidence gaps.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Male breast cancer is often diagnosed late due to low awareness and a lack of male-specific treatment guidelines. Rising incidence trends across much of Europe underscore the urgent need for targeted education, research, and clinical protocols tailored to men.
