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More than 11,000 people were affected by breast cancer in Belgium in 2021. Unfortunately, this figure is incorrect.
Breast cancer also impacts their families, friends, loved ones, ...
The story of Kris: having breast cancer as a man
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Did you know that 1 man in 800 suffers from breast cancer (compared to 1 in 8 women)? Little is known about this rare disease. For Kris and all the other men, being diagnosed means not benefiting from appropriate treatments and not being able to talk freely about it, because the disease represents a huge taboo. The impact on Kris and his loved ones is considerable.
“Many people are unaware that men can be affected by this disease. The treatments fall short, as they still often mirror those used for women, despite significant hormonal differences. It is urgent to bring greater attention to the specific treatment of breast cancer in men, with a focus on genetic and hereditary factors, such as the BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations (commonly referred to as the ‘Angelina Jolie gene’), which are unfortunately frequently silenced out of fear of social and financial consequences. To protect my loved ones and secure our future, I have chosen to share my story without revealing my full name. Let’s break the taboos together and invest wholeheartedly in research, so that a future without breast cancer becomes possible for everyone, regardless of gender.” – Kris, 64-years-old, a father, a man with breast cancer, and a carrier of BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations.
BIG’s research aims to develop more personalised treatments
BIG has been conducting international clinical trials and research programmes on breast cancer for almost 25 years. The aim is to find more personalised treatments for each patient and each type of breast cancer. Various BIG studies have already revolutionised clinical practice. One of these is the OlympiA study, which showed that a new targeted drug, olaparib, can be used to treat patients with early breast cancer who carry the hereditary BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations. The BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations are found in approximately 5% of breast cancer patients, particularly common in young patients.
To protect my loved ones and secure our future, I have chosen to share my story without revealing my full name. Let’s break the taboos together and invest wholeheartedly in research, so that a future without breast cancer becomes possible for everyone, regardless of gender.
The OlympiA study involved 1,836 patients in over 600 hospitals and cancer centres in 23 countries. It demonstrated that olaparib not only reduces the risk of recurrence in cancer patients, but also improves their overall survival, decreasing the risk of death by 32%. Following this international study, olaparib was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), changing the way in which thousands of patients across the world will be treated from now on.
Research is the only way to save lives and spare many families from the impact of the disease.
Pink October "I miss you" campaign
For some, «I miss you» reminds them of the pain in their hearts following the loss of a loved one, and the lack of understanding in the eyes of people around them. For others, it will be a matter of grieving for their previous life or for a breast, an important symbol of femininity and maternity.
«I miss you» is also a message of hope. Like a postcard that you send to a friend you are looking forward to seeing again. It is also the hope of soon regaining a new version of yourself, of re-emerging after multiple treatments.
You can make a difference. You can help save lives.
Donations greater than or equal to € 40 / year receive a
45% tax reduction.
This means your donation of €40 only costs you € 22.
