Can Men Get Breast Cancer: Understanding the Risks and Symptoms
Breast cancer is often thought of as a disease that affects only women.
However, it is essential to understand that men can also develop breast cancer, albeit at a much lower rate.
Men have breast tissue, and like women, they have the potential to develop breast cancer.
Although breast cancer is much more common in women, it is estimated that approximately 1 in every 833 men will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
Men with breast cancer often face unique challenges, including a lack of awareness, delayed diagnosis, and limited treatment options.
Early detection and treatment are crucial for improving the outcome of breast cancer in men.
This article will take you through the possible causes, symptoms, and breast cancer risk factors.
Male breast cancer
Both men and women have breasts comprising various tissues, including milk ducts and lobules.
In males, the hormones in their bodies restrict breast tissue growth during puberty.
Although male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases in the United States, it still affects thousands of men yearly.
In 2022, it was estimated that around 2,710 American men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and approximately 530 will die.
A man’s average lifetime risk of breast cancer is one in 1,000, much lower than the average woman’s risk of one in eight.
The survival rate for male breast cancer varies depending on the stage at diagnosis, with a five-year survival rate ranging from about 96% for localized cancer to 25% for metastatic cancer.
A particular cause of male breast cancer remains unclear.
However, doctors understand this disease develops when specific breast cells divide faster than normal cells.
As these cells accumulate, they form a mass, or tumor, which may spread to surrounding tissue, lymph nodes, or other areas of the body.
The spreading of cancer to other areas is known as metastasis.
Male breast cancer symptoms
Male breast cancer can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- A lump or swelling in the breast tissue, usually located beneath the nipple and areola
- Changes in the nipple, such as turning inward (inverted) or becoming red or scaly
- Nipple discharge, which may be bloody
- Male breast cancer lumps are usually painless
- A sore or rash on the nipple or areola
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit
Risk factors
Several risk factors may increase a man’s likelihood of developing breast cancer:
Aging
Male breast cancer is more likely to occur in older men, with two-thirds of cases occurring in men over 60.
Family history
Men who have a family history of breast cancer, particularly a mother or sister, have a higher risk of developing the disease.
Estrogen exposure
Using Estrogen-related medications, such as those prescribed for hormone therapy to treat prostate cancer, can increase a man’s risk of developing breast cancer.
Klinefelterâs syndrome
Klinefelter’s syndrome is a genetic disorder in which males are born with an extra copy of the X chromosome. It results in abnormal testicular development.
Men with this syndrome tend to produce lower levels of male hormones (androgens) and higher levels of female hormones (estrogens).
Liver disease
Cirrhosis of the liver is one of the medical conditions that can lower male hormone levels.
It thus raises female hormone levels in men, increasing the risk of developing breast cancer.
Obesity
Higher levels of Estrogen in the body are associated with obesity, which increases the risk of male breast cancer.
Conclusion
Breast cancer is more commonly associated with women; men can also develop this disease.
Men with breast cancer often face unique challenges, including a lack of awareness, delayed diagnosis, and limited treatment options.
Early detection and treatment can significantly improve outcomes for male breast cancer patients.
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