India, Oct. 19 -- Breast cancer is widely perceived as a disease that affects only women, but men can develop it too. Although rare, male breast cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage, largely because of low awareness and social stigma. This delay in diagnosis can make treatment more challenging, highlighting the need to bring this issue into public conversation.

One of the biggest barriers is the lack of awareness that men even have breast tissue and can develop cancer in it. "Men often ignore or misinterpret symptoms such as a lump in the chest, nipple discharge, or skin changes", says Breast Cancer Specialist Dr Pragati Singhal of Narayana RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, Kolkata, to Health Shots. Many men hesitate to seek medical ...