Sri Lanka reports around 2,000 to 2,500 women with breast cancer annually, while male breast cancer cases are estimated at around 50 a year.

Almost 99 per cent of women get breast cancer due to the effect of the estrogen hormone, while women who had not given birth, who use artificial hormones and drugs, especially for family planning, are also cited as reasons for breast cancer, medical research has established.

Dr. Kshanika de Silva of the Maharagama cancer hospital says the male to female ratio of getting breast cancer is one to 100.