An Analysis of Male Breast Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Disease Burden Among Commonwealth Countries.

Introduction and aim Male breast cancer is a rare disease, and it remains inadequately researched globally. Due to its rarity and lack of widespread awareness, this disease often presents in an advanced stage, leading to higher mortality rates compared to the more common female breast cancer. Increasing age, the presence of genetic mutations, such as BRCA2, and exposure to certain hormonal and environmental factors have been cited as factors increasing the risk of this disease. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, death, and burden of male breast cancer, measured in years lived with disability (YLD) across the following three socioeconomic categories in the Commonwealth of Nations: high-, middle-, and low-income. Methods This study uses a retrospective cohort design to analyze data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database from 1991 to 2021 to identify long-term trends and disparities. Descriptive statistics summarize breast cancer outcomes, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) tests identify significant differences across the socioeconomic categories. Findings Significant differences in male breast cancer incidence, mortality, and YLDs were found across the different socioeconomic categories. Middle-income Commonwealth regions had the highest incidence and mortality rates, whereas high-income regions had the lowest. These outcomes highlight the potential role of socioeconomic factors, wherein residents in high-income regions benefit from efficient early detection programs and advanced healthcare treatments, and policies. Conclusion In lower- and middle-class regions, there is a pressing need to improve the healthcare system and increase cancer awareness. The worldwide occurrence of advanced male breast cancer can be reduced by addressing these discrepancies through focused efforts to aid early detection, thereby improving prognoses. This study contributes to the limited body of literature regarding male breast cancer by highlighting the significance of socioeconomic factors on breast cancer outcomes and the need for equitable healthcare access.