Did you know… MEN GET BREAST CANCER, TOO

Men get breast cancer, too.  

Breast cancer is most often thought of as a disease that affects women; many people don’t realise that men have breast tissue and that they can also develop breast cancer. It is more common in older men (between the ages of 60 and 70), but it can occur at any age. 

In general, the overall survival rate for men is the same for women when diagnosed at the same stage of the disease, men are often diagnosed at more advanced stages when their breast cancer has progressed and is more difficult to treat, and their overall outlook is less optimistic.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2022, there will be 2,710 new invasive breast cancer cases diagnosed in men in the United States and 530 men will die of the disease. For men, the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 833. Male breast cancer makes up less than 1% of all cases of breast cancer.

Early detection is key

Finding breast cancer early improves the chances that breast cancer can be treated successfully. Women tend to be aware of this disease and its possible warning signs, but many men are not. Men tend to ignore breast lumps or think they are caused by an infection (or something else), and they frequently don’t seek medical attention until a lump becomes large enough to be worrisome. 

They are also often embarrassed that if they tell anyone, they might be thought of as somehow less masculine. 

All of this often delays an early diagnosis and reduces a man’s chances for successful treatment and ultimately, his survival.

Risk factors 

A family history of breast cancer and other factors can increase a man’s risk of breast cancer. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk. Risk factors for breast cancer in men may include the following:

• Treatment with radiation therapy to your breast/chest.
• Having a disease linked to high levels of oestrogen in the body, such as cirrhosis (liver disease) or Klinefelter syndrome (a genetic disorder).
• Having one or more female relatives who have had breast cancer.

Male breast cancer is sometimes caused by inherited gene mutations. Hereditary breast cancer makes up about 5% to 10% of all breast cancer. Men with a mutation (defect) in the BRCA2 gene have an increased risk of breast cancer, with a lifetime risk of about 6 in 100. BRCA1 mutations can also cause breast cancer, but the risk is lower, about 1 in 100. There are tests that can detect mutated genes, and these genetic tests are sometimes done for members of families with a high risk of cancer. 

Men with breast cancer usually have lumps that can be felt. Lumps and other signs may be caused by male breast cancer or by other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:

• A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area.
• A change in the size or shape of the breast.
• A dimple or puckering in the skin of the breast.
• A nipple turned inward into the breast.
• Fluid from the nipple, especially if it’s bloody.
• Scaly, red, or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or areola (the dark area of skin around the nipple).
• Dimples in the breast that look like the skin of an orange, called “peau d’orange”.

Breast cancer is a “gender-less” disease

Breast cancer can affect anyone and everyone. It doesn’t discriminate. Know your family history, know your own body, get screened, and ACT if you see or feel anything unusual or suspicious. Don’t wait!