Men's breast cancer is rare, but it happens to approximately 2000 men every year with thousands more reporting benign lumps or non-cancerous tissue growth.
Though far less common than in women, men's breast cancer is possible. According to the American Cancer Society, over 2000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, meaning men account for approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases diagnosed nationally. To gain more understanding about this lesser known male disease, take a look below.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Men
Typically, any changes in tissue growth or bumps in men are usually benign (non-cancerous). However, that doesn't mean men should feel comfortable in ignoring it.
The most common symptoms of breast cancer in men are actually quite similar to the symptoms for women. These include nipple inversion, detecting a lump, unexplained tissue growth, change in breast size, skin puckering or dimpling, nipple discharge, itchiness or redness.
Men generally have less breast tissue than women, making it much easier to detect lumps. However, this also means the cancer can spread to other parts of the body more quickly than in women. This is why early detection is so critical for men.
Risk Factors for Men's Breast Cancer
Advancing Age
Most men diagnosed with male breast cancer are between the ages of 60 and 70.
Family History
About one-fifth of men who are diagnosed with breast cancer have at least one immediate female relative who has or had breast cancer.
Prior Radiation Exposure
Prior radiation exposure (such as treatment for another cancer) can be a contributing factor to male breast cancer.
History of Liver Diseases
The liver works to regulate hormones, meaning men who have survived liver failure or liver disease often have lower levels of androgens, the male hormones. Those low levels can put them at a higher risk for developing breast cancer or non-cancerous tissue growth.
Estrogen Treatments
Often men who are being treated for prostate cancer are put on estrogen treatments to help control the disease. These men may be at a higher risk for developing breast cancer. That said, the American Cancer Society says those risks are small and worth the benefits of improved health for prostate cancer patients.
Klinefelter's Syndrome
Klinefelter's Syndrome occurs at birth when a man is born with two or more X (female) chromosomes. Typically, men have one Y chromosome and one X chromosome.
Men with Klinefelter's usually have higher estrogen levels and lower androgen levels. This typically translates to a more significant risk rate for breast cancer.
Treating Breast Cancer in Men
Men's breast cancer is typically treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy - or a combination of the four treatment courses.
Survival rates, particularly for those cases detected early, are good - 96% for stage I diagnosis, 84% for stage II diagnosis, 52% for stage III diagnosis and 24% for stage IV diagnosis.
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