Breast Cancer
Women can't get Prostate Cancer; but men can get Breast Cancer.
Male breast cancer is a rare condition that develops in the small amount of breast tissue present in men from birth. Although breasts are most commonly associated with women, everyone has breast cells and tissue.
Age 60+ (90% > 45)
~40 Men Diagnosed in Scotland Anually
1% of Breast Cancer Cases are Men
Family History > RIsk
Very Late Diagnosis Compared with Women
Breast Cancer in Men
Breast cancer is often considered a disease that affects women, but it can also develop in men. Although male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases, awareness and early detection are crucial for successful treatment. This article explores the causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for male breast cancer.
Much as with women, a family history of breast cancer, especially involving BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, raises the risk. However, in men, injury, surgery, or diseases affecting the testicles can also influence hormone levels and increase risk.
While male breast cancer is rare, it is important for men to be aware of the signs and risk factors. Prompt medical attention to unusual changes in breast tissue can lead to early diagnosis and more effective treatment. Awareness, education, and regular check-ups are key in the fight against male breast cancer.
Early detection and advances in treatment have improved survival rates, but men are often diagnosed at a later stage, which can affect outcomes.
PULLED IN NIPPLE
A "pulled-in" nipple (nipple retraction or inversion) is one of the most significant visual signs of breast cancer in both men and women. Harder to see in men, so looking carefully is important.
THICKENING
Unlike a classic "lump" thickening feels like fullness, denser or firmer tissue than the surrounding area. A feeling of "fullness" in one breast that isn't present in the other.
NIPPLE DISCHARGE
In men, any fluid leaking from the nipple is considered abnormal. While it is not always a sign of cancer, it is a symptom that should be followed up with a doctor.
ARMPIT PAIN
While breast cancer itself is often painless in the early stages, pain in the armpit area is frequently related to the lymph nodes, as they are the first place those cells try to travel.
DIMPLING
In men, because there is so little breast tissue, skin changes like dimpling (puckering) are often more visible than in women.
LUMPING
A "lump" is the most common symptom of male breast cancer, and finding one is a reason to visit a GP - EVEN FOR A MAN. It may not be cancer, but it should be looked at by a GP in a man, ALSO.
SKIN IRRITATION
In the context of male breast cancer, skin changes are often a visible warning sign when combined with other symptoms.
RASH IN AREOLA
An areola rash is one of the most critical symptoms to cover because it is the one most frequently misdiagnosed as a harmless skin condition in men, so it can go under the radar.
SKIN TEXTURE CHANGE
Because men have very little subcutaneous fat in the chest, texture changes often appear earlier and more distinctly than they might in women.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves a combination of physical examinations, imaging tests (such as mammograms or ultrasounds), and biopsy to confirm the presence of cancerous cells. Genetic testing may be recommended if there is a strong family history of breast cancer.
Treatment
Treatment for male breast cancer is similar to that for women. Most men undergo a mastectomy to remove the affected breast tissue. Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy and Drugs that specifically target cancer cell mechanisms.
For men Hormone Therapy for cancers that are hormone receptor-positive can be used.