The number of men diagnosed with breast cancer linked to exposure at Ground Zero has surged to 91, marking a sixfold increase since 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

This alarming figure represents a significant health crisis among the 98,590 men enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), highlighting the severe impact of toxic exposures from the September 11 attacks.

The rate of breast cancer among these men is now 90 times higher than the national average for men, which stands at roughly 1 in 100,000.

Joseph Polcaro, a 62-year-old corrections officer, was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in October 2019 after noticing unusual symptoms, illustrating the rarity yet increasing incidence of such diagnoses in men.

Similarly, Jeffrey Glennon, a 60-year-old survivor from Long Island, discovered a lump and was diagnosed in April 2019, attributing his illness to prolonged exposure to hazardous materials at Ground Zero.

Experts like Glennon and Polcaro stress the importance of awareness and self-examination for men, urging them to seek medical help if they notice any symptoms.

Despite the rising numbers, breast cancer awareness among men remains low, as many are unaware that they can develop the disease.

For those affected, eligibility for government-funded treatment and compensation is available for first responders and residents who were in the Ground Zero area when they developed breast cancer, provided they enroll in the WTCHP.

A representative from the city Health Department has called for further review of breast cancer data in relation to Ground Zero exposure, noting that previous studies indicated lower rates of female breast cancer in that area compared to statewide averages.

Among the 31,430 women in the WTCHP, 24.16% have been diagnosed with breast cancer, indicating a significantly higher incidence than the national average for women.

More than 50 cancers and diseases are presumed linked to toxins from the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, with breast cancer identified as one of them.

Attorney Michael Barasch, who represents many male breast cancer patients, suggests that the current numbers may only represent the beginning of a larger issue.