DOCTORS are calling today for an investigation into the treatment of
men with breast cancer.
About 170 men in the UK contract the disease each year; the survival
rate is 60%, and a leading researcher says that more could be saved if
they sought help sooner.
However, Mr Ian Fentiman, deputy director of the Imperial Cancer
Research Fund's breast cancer unit at Guy's Hospital in London, also
believes men may not be receiving the best treatment because there have
never been any clinical trials on this rare form of tumour.
''It would be relatively easy to set up a trial, and this approach
would be an important step towards the rationalisation of treatment for
men with breast cancer,'' he said yesterday.
''However, the most important requirement would be the acceptance by
surgeons of the concept of national trials for rare tumours.''
All surgeons who treated male breast cancer would have to co-operate,
and at least half of those diagnosed over a three-year period would need
to take part in the trial.
''Is it really going to be necessary for us to wait for the death of a
famous and influential man before this aspect of breast cancer is
studied in clinical trials?'' added Mr Fentiman.
''As with women, the earlier this cancer is treated the better the
chances of a cure. So it is very important that if a man does find a
lump in his breast he should see his doctor about it.''
The most common symptom is a painless lump.
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