The Male Breast Global Alliance (MBCGA) announced the launch of a new program to support research focused specifically on breast cancer in men. The MBCGA, a 501c3 nonprofit, will be one of the first organizations of its kind to devote a significant part of its energy and mission to funding scientific studies that may ease the journey of men with breast cancer through better and more tolerable treatments, increase awareness of genetics and other potential risk factors, and ultimately save more lives. The organization (headquartered in East Hanover, N.J.) kicked off this new initiative by presenting a check for $10,000 to the Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.

The MBCGA’s gift, along with a generous match provided by the Basser Center, will help continue the important work of the Center’s Men & BRCA Program. “We are incredibly grateful to have the support of international leaders in male breast cancer, in the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance, to continue driving this important work forward,” said Susan Domchek, MD, executive director of the Basser Center. Established by Mindy and Jon Gray at Penn Medicine in 2012, the Basser Center for BRCA is dedicated to research, treatment, and prevention of BRCA-related cancers. Led by Domchek, the Basser Center is home to researchers, physicians and genetic counselors who are leaders in the field of hereditary cancers. Dedicated to eradicating BRCA-related cancers, the Basser Center builds upon the strengths of the formidable cancer genetics, vaccine research, and oncology programs at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center.

The decision to support the Basser Center was largely driven by MBCGA’s close relationship with Long Island chef/restaurateur Michael Landesberg (a resident of Plainview), who was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago at the age of 46. Landesberg underwent genetic testing at the time and learned that he carries both the BRCA2 and CHEK2 gene mutations. He also learned that this put him, and potentially his family, at an increased risk not only for breast cancer, but for ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer. He urged his sister to get tested and it was discovered that she too had both gene mutations. She was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and underwent treatment. Landsberg’s knowledge of the heredity possibilities and implications, and his insistence that she be tested, may have saved her life.

Spreading awareness about the importance of genetic testing became the focal point of Landesberg’s advocacy efforts. Last October, he was looking for a way to increase awareness in his community about breast cancer in men and women, and give back to the two organizations that helped him and his family through his difficult breast cancer journey and treatment—the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance, and the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition (WIBCC). 

With no prior experience, Landesberg took a deep dive into fundraising and launched his first annual All Boobs Matter event at the popular Jackson Hall Bar & Grill in East Islip, NY, where he is the general manager and executive chef. He raised just over $26,000, and asked if the MBCGA would be willing to earmark part of their share to the Basser Center’s Men & BRCA Program.

“Michael is an unbelievably courageous breast cancer survivor and a passionate advocate,” said Cheri Ambrose, founder and president of the MBCGA. “He is the embodiment of ‘paying it forward’; he lives it and breathes it every day of his life and inspires hundreds of others to follow his example. We are grateful to have him as a member of our Board of Directors, and as an Advocacy Ambassador. Michael was definitely the “spark” that led to forging ahead with our launch, and the gift to the Basser Center.”

Landesberg hosted his second All Boobs Matter fundraiser at Jackson Hall Bar & Grill on Oct. 21 from 4-8, p.m. and says that he is setting his sights on raising even more money this year. His two dinner seatings sold out within weeks of launching the event on social media in August, although Landesberg says that “everyone is welcome to stop by and join the party.” And what a party it will be—he has received an outpouring of cash donations, plus hundreds of products, services, and gift cards from local establishments for what promises to be an enormous Chinese auction. His staff generously volunteer their time for the night, and 100 percent of the restaurant’s profits from the event go to the MBCGA and the WIBCC. The MBCGA has already made the commitment to earmark part of their share of the net proceeds to renew their support of the Basser Center’s research project next year.

Although breast cancer in men is rare (1 in 726 men will develop breast cancer in his lifetime), 2,790 men in the US will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2024, and 530 men will die of the disease. Because so many men are not aware that they, too, can get breast cancer (it isn’t just a women’s disease), they ignore the symptoms, and tend to be diagnosed at a later stage. Consequently, the mortality rate in men has been shown to be higher in men than in women. And men who carry the gene mutations are at a significantly higher risk. “Half of all BRCA gene mutation carriers are men, but testing rates, education, and awareness remain far lower in males compared to females,” said Kara Maxwell, MD, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Medicine and Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, and director of the Men & BRCA Program at the Basser Center. “We designed the Basser Center’s Men & BRCA Program to help close these gaps and drive forward research focused on men with BRCA mutations.”

The Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance brings men with breast cancer together with researchers, clinicians, and oncologists around the world for the purpose of advancing research, clinical trials and treatments for men diagnosed with breast cancer. Their mission pillars include: advocating for all men diagnosed with breast cancer to ensure they receive equal access to support and treatment; serving as a source of support and resources for the men, their care partners, and their families; ensuring that men are appropriately represented in research and clinical trials; helping to fund research specifically targeted towards studying breast cancer in men; and recruiting volunteer ambassadors to increase awareness of breast cancer in men on a global scale.