Occurrence Of Breast Cancer in Men

Yes, Men Can Get Breast Cancer, Too

Breast cancer occurs largely in women, but men can get it, too. It’s less known in the general public that men also have breast tissue and that they can develop breast cancer. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancerous and can spread to other areas.

Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. These cells usually form a tumor that can often be seen on an x-ray or felt as a lump. The tumor is malignant if the cells can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body.

Men’s Breast Cancer Is Rare

Although it is pretty rare, men can also get breast cancer. Learn about the symptoms of breast cancer in men and things that may increase your risk.

Breast cancer is most often found in women, but men can get breast cancer too. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man.

The most common kinds of breast cancer in men are the same kinds in women:

Invasive ductal carcinoma. The cancer cells grow outside the ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive cancer cells can also spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body.
Invasive lobular carcinoma. Cancer cells spread from the lobules to the breast tissues that are close by. These invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a breast disease that may lead to breast cancer. The cancer cells are only in the lining of the ducts and have not spread to other tissues in the breast.

All people, whether male or female, are born with some breast cells and tissue. Even though males do not develop milk-producing breasts, a man’s breast cells and tissue can still develop cancer. Even so, male breast cancer is very rare. Less than one percent of all breast cancer cases develop in men, and only one in a thousand men will ever be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Detection Of Breast Cancer In Men

Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. Men bear higher mortality than women do, principally because the consciousness of the possibility of breast cancer among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment. The majority of men diagnosed are over the age of 50.

Symptoms Of Breast Cancer In Men

The symptoms of breast cancer in men include:

A lump in the breast. This is usually hard, painless, and does not move around within the breast.
A sore or rash around the nipple that does not go away.
The nipple or surrounding skin becoming hard, red or swollen.
Small bumps in the armpit.
The nipple turning inwards.
Fluid oozing from the nipple (nipple discharge), which may be streaked with blood.

Risk Factors For Male Breast Cancer

Several factors can increase a man’s chance of getting breast cancer. Having risk factors does not mean you will get breast cancer.

Getting older. The risk for breast cancer increases with age. Most breast cancers are found after age 50.
Genetic mutations. Inherited changes in certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, increase breast cancer risk.
Family history of breast cancer. A man’s risk for breast cancer is higher if a close family member has had breast cancer.
Radiation therapy treatment. Men who had radiation therapy to the chest have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
Hormone therapy treatment. Drugs containing estrogen which were used to treat prostate cancer in the past, increase men’s breast cancer risk.
Klinefelter syndrome. Klinefelter syndrome is a rare genetic condition in which a male has an extra X chromosome. This can lead to the body making higher levels of estrogen and lower levels of androgens.
Conditions that affect the testicles. Injury to, swelling in, or surgery to remove the testicles can increase breast cancer risk.
Liver disease. Cirrhosis of the liver can lower androgen levels and raise estrogen levels in men, increasing the risk of breast cancer.
Overweight and obesity. Older men who are overweight or have obesity have a higher risk of getting breast cancer than men at a normal weight.

Dr. Shyamali Singhal, surgical oncologist and founder of H&B, strongly advises men to check their breast tissue for lumps at least as often as they take screenings for colon cancer.

With this message, we would also like to recommend one of H&Bs best selling products. This time, it’s Lindi Soothing Balm, a unisex balm formulated to help manage intensely dry hands and feet.