Public health initiatives with regards to breast cancer are almost exclusively targeted at women, because women are statistically far more likely to get breast cancer than men. However, it is still very possible for men to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Statistically, only 1% of breast cancer cases occur in men, making it a rare diagnosis, should it occur.
Common signs and symptoms
Many of the manifestations of breast cancer in men are similar to that in women. Some men experience a lump in the chest, abnormal skin changes and nipple discharge. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, doctors might find them engorged.
Some men have a condition known as gynecomastia, which is a harmless enlargement of the breast tissue that may cause anxiety due to the cosmetic implications of the breast tissue bulging out of the clothing. This is not breast cancer, and there are effective ways to reduce the appearance of gynecomastia in men.
Clinical assessments
Similar to what occurs in women who are screened for breast cancer, men undergo a physical breast exam, imaging, and a biopsy analysis in which a small sample of breast tissue is observed.
Risk factors
There are several risk factors that are associated with men getting breast cancer, but the evidence is relatively weak. Generally, men of an advanced age and those with a family history of breast cancer tend to be more at risk. In addition, men with the BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations may be in a vulnerable position.
A history of chest radiation, as well as a genetic condition known as Klinefeler syndrome, in which men have an extra X chromosome, may also increase the likelihood of breast cancer in men.
The importance of awareness
Granted, because the rates of breast cancer in men are so low, most men do not have to worry about it. However, a small percentage of men are diagnosed with this condition every year.
It is therefore useful for men to report any unusual changes in their breast tissue to a healthcare professional who will be able to conduct additional investigations, especially those associated with unexplained lumps and bumps. Like all cases of cancer, those who are diagnosed and treated in the early stages of the disease tend to have better outcomes than those who wait.
Sign up here to get the latest news, perspectives, and information about breast cancer sent directly to your inbox. Registration is free and only takes a minute.