General Synopsis of Male Breast Cancer

Though far less common than in women, men's breast cancer is
possible. According to the American Cancer Society, over 2000
men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, meaning men
account for approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases
diagnosed nationally. To gain more understanding about this
lesser known male disease, take a look below.

Male Breast Cancer Symptoms

Though most lumps or changes in the breast for men are benign
(not cancerous) abnormalities, men should still report any major
changes, irritations or problems to their doctors as soon as
possible.

The most common symptoms of breast cancer in men are actually
quite similar to the symptoms for women. These include nipple
inversion, detecting a lump, unexplained tissue growth, change
in breast size, skin puckering or dimpling, nipple discharge,
itchiness or redness.

Men generally have less breast tissue than women, making it much
easier to detect lumps. However, this also means the cancer can
spread to other parts of the body more quickly than in women.
This is why early detection is so critical for men.

Contributing Factors for Men's Breast Cancer

Elder Age

Most men diagnosed with male breast cancer are between the ages
of 60 and 70.

Family History

Approximately 20 percent of men with breast cancer have one or
more close family members who have or have had the disease.

Prior Radiation Exposure

Radiation exposure to the chest (for example, past treatment for
lung cancer) can be a risk factor for the development of male
breast cancer.

History of Liver Diseases

The liver works to regulate hormones, meaning men who have
survived liver failure or liver disease often have lower levels
of androgens, the male hormones. Those low levels can put them
at a higher risk for developing breast cancer or non-cancerous
tissue growth.

Estrogen Therapy

Often men who are being treated for prostate cancer are put on
estrogen treatments to help control the disease. These men may
be at a higher risk for developing breast cancer. That said, the
American Cancer Society says those risks are small and worth the
benefits of improved health for prostate cancer patients.

Klinefelter's

Typically, men are born with one Y chromosome and one X
chromosome. Klinefelter's Syndrome is when a man is born with
two or more X chromosomes (female chromosomes). Approximately 1
in 850 men were born with Klinefelter's.

Men with this syndrome generally have lower levels of androgens
and higher levels of estrogen and are therefore at a greater
risk for developing male breast cancer.

How Breast Cancer in Men is Treated

Methods for treating men's breast cancer include surgical
removal of the tumor and any cancerous cells, chemo, radiation
therapy, hormone therapy or a combination of all these
treatments.

The survival rates for men with breast cancer often depend on
the stage of the disease but range from 96% for stage I
diagnosis to 24% for a stage IV diagnosis.

Men experiencing symptoms of breast cancer may be inhibited
through embarrassment from requesting the assessment of a
qualified physician. But given the severity of any type of
cancer, the potential risk merits an extra effort to swallow
one's pride and make sure.

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