Men must test for breast cancer

• breast cancer more aggressive on men than women

NANCY RAMOKHUA

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

October is widely known as breast cancer awareness month. However, breast cancer continues to affect both men and women throughout the years, even beyond just it's commemoration month. Although prevalence is commonly associated with women, breast cancer also affects men and therefore demands men to get themselves tested.

Onica Lekuntwane a breast cancer awareness activist at Journey of Hope reiterated that men have breasts (the armpit and chest) and cancer cells can develop in that area. She said men are also indirectly affected by breast cancer when their loved ones get diagnosed with it as watching a loved one's quality of life declining is very difficult even on a man's mental health. "Even though less than 1% of annual diagnosed breast cancer cases are men, it tends to be more aggressive in men than women. Do not ignore changes to your breast area even if they are painless," she warned.