В Центральной Европе растет нагрузка от рака груди у мужчин, а в Восточной — снижается смертность

Since 1990, the overall burden of male breast cancer has increased in Europe, but there are significant differences by region, according to research published in Cancer.  Although the incidence of and mortality associated with male breast cancer consistently increased in Central Europe during the study period, mortality and disability decreased in Eastern Europe even as incidence remained stable.  In this study, the researchers used estimates from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study 2023 to evaluate the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years associated with male breast cancer from 1990 through 2023 in the Eastern, Central, and Western regions of Europe. All rates were reported per 100,000 male‐years. In Central Europe, the researchers observed a significant increase in the burden of male breast cancer during the study period. The all-ages incidence rate jumped from 0.56 per 100,000 in 1990 to 1.78 per 100,000 in 2023. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) also climbed from 0.54 to 1.05 during the same time period.  Both the all-ages and the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) increased in Central Europe from 1990 to 2023. The all-ages mortality rate rose from 0.28 to 0.67, while the ASMR increased from 0.29 to 0.40. The all-ages disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate increased significantly, from 7.62 per 100,000 to 16.11 per 100,000, but the increase in the age-standardized rate was more modest, from 7.19 to 9.63 during the study period.  In Western Europe, there was a significant increase in both the all-ages and age-standardized incidence rate during the study period. The all-ages rate nearly tripled, from 0.59 to 1.70 per 100,000, and the ASIR increased from 0.47 to 0.88.  The all-ages death rate rose from 0.27 to 0.48 per 100,000 in Western Europe, but the ASMR was relatively stable, at 0.22 in 1990 and 0.24 in 2023. For male breast cancer-related disability in Western Europe, the all-ages DALY rate increased from 6.58 to 10.72, and the age-standardized rate increased from 5.20 to 5.75.  However, in Eastern Europe the incidence of male breast cancer was fairly stable during the study period. Although the all-ages incidence increased from 0.77 to 0.89 per 100,000, the ASIR decreased from 0.81 to 0.60.  The all-ages death rate in Eastern Europe fell from 0.36 to 0.30, and the ASMR dropped from 0.40 to 0.21 during the study period. DALY rates also decreased from 1990 to 2023. The all-ages DALY rate declined from 10.63 to 8.27, and the age-standardized rate decreased from 10.54 to 5.55.  “These findings highlight substantial heterogeneity across European regions; however, the factors underlying these regional differences cannot be determined from the present analysis and warrant further investigation,” the researchers noted.  “Although [male breast cancer] accounts for only 0.5% to 1% of all breast cancers worldwide according to the World Health Organization, its rarity should not diminish its clinical relevance, particularly in light of the increasing burden observed over time and the persistent lack of sex-specific evidence to guide clinical management,” they added.  The researchers outlined strategies to tackle the increasing burden of male breast cancer, including educating health care providers and the public about the signs, offering genetic counseling to men with suspicious lesions, conducting male-specific research to establish treatment protocols, and prevention efforts.  Disclosures: There was no funding listed for this study. The study authors reported having no conflicts of interest. Please see the original reference for complete disclosures.  This article originally appeared on Cancer Therapy Advisor References: Passera R, Fabbro E, Zamagni G. The burden of male breast cancer (MBC) in the GBD Central, Eastern, and Western Europe Regions from 1990 to 2023: Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023.  Cancer. Published online September 1, 2026. doi:10.1002/cncr.70585