A meeting of Clare County Council has heard that men in this county are largely unaware of the risks of getting Breast Cancer.
Calls for the HSE to promote self-check opportunities have been echoed by two elected representatives who shared personal stories of men in their own lives diagnosed with the condition.
According to the Irish Cancer Society, over 3,100 people are diagnosed with Breast Cancer each year and while the incidence rate in men is rare, 30 males will still be diagnosed with the condition annually.
In 2022, the father-in-law of O’Callaghan’s Mills Councillor Conor Ryan, was one of those.
Jack XXXX felt a lump and initially believed to be dealing with a benign cyst, however he ultimately ended up receiving treatment for Breast Cancer within three weeks.
Cllr Ryan says early intervention was crucial to a positive outcome in this case.
Corofin Councillor Joe Killeen is also calling for an awareness campaign after a former colleague was diagnosed.
Mayor of Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard raised the motion, which also called for the age limits for breast screening checks for women to be changed to 40 – 74 year olds, rather than the current 50-69 range.
Cllr Howard insists, however, that in these cases Breast Cancer is a man’s issue as well.
Listen to the full interview here
