Breast cancer statistics are shocking; 12% (1 in 8) of women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. However, the fact that men also get breast cancer is often ignored and forgotten.
In honor of June being Men’s Health Month, we’d like to focus on the realities of breast cancer in men.
The Facts
Breast tissue is present in boys, girls, men and women.
During puberty, hormones in females generate growth in milk ducts, fatty and connective tissue, and breast lobule formation. However, due to lower levels of these same hormones in males, breast development does not occur.
Although men only have minimal amounts of breast tissue behind their nipples, they can still develop cancerous cells. However, less than 1% of all breast cancer cases occur in men and only 1 in 1000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Causes of Breast Cancer in Men
Factors that increase a man’s risk of breast cancer include genetics (a family history of breast cancer), radiation exposure in your chest region (e.g. from radiotherapy), and elevated levels of estrogen (due to medication, hormone treatments, liver cirrhosis, Klinefelter’s syndrome, or health conditions like obesity).
The most common cancer in men is Infiltrating (or invasive) Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), which starts in the ducts of the breast and grows into the fatty tissue. Left untreated, it will spread through your bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of your body.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Men
Symptoms of breast cancer include:
- An inverted nipple
- A lump in the breast
- Nipple discharge
- Swollen armpit glands
- A lingering rash around the nipple
- A swollen or hard nipple, or swelling and hardening of the skin around the nipple
- Change in the shape or size of the breast.
If you experience any of these symptoms, please see your doctor.
Treatments of Breast Cancer in Men
Breast cancer treatment for men is identical to treatment for women, and is dependent on the progression of the cancer. Treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, mastectomy, hormone therapy and biological therapy.
These treatments, used alone or in combination, can help remove the cancerous cells from your body and prevent a relapse in the future. However, the success of the treatment usually lies in how soon the cancer is detected, as it is easier to treat cancer before it has the chance to spread to other parts of your body.
Remember to eat a healthy and balanced diet, exercise regularly, and cut down on alcohol consumption in order to reduce your risk of getting breast cancer. Sadly, none of these actions can eliminate the possibility of breast cancer and that’s why it is important to consistently monitor your health.
Book your Men’s Physical Awareness Scan today and find out if there are any abnormalities in your body that may be indicative of serious health issues.
