Men Are Also at Risk
By Patrice Crawford
While breast cancer in men is more rare than in women, it does exist.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that one in every 100 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in men. It’s why it is important for men as well as women to screen for breast cancer. Breastcancer.org said that, in 2022, about 2,710 men were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. and about 530 men were expected to die from it.
While the risk of a man being diagnosed with breast cancer is only about one in 1,000 compared to a woman’s one in eight, the breast cancer is often at more advanced stages when it is diagnosed because men do not have the same routine screenings that women do.
Causes
The exact causes of male breast cancer are not fully understood. There are some factors that make a man more at risk for breast cancer than otherwise. First, the risk of male breast cancer increases with age. Most cases occur in men over the age of 60.
Having a close relative with a history of breast cancer may increase the risk. Inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA2, can also contribute to male breast cancer.
Men with Klinefelter syndrome, a genetic condition characterized by the presence of an extra X chromosome, have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Men who have had estrogen treatments, such as those used to treat prostate cancer in the past, also have a higher risk.
Exposure to radiation, particularly in the chest area, may increase the risk of male breast cancer.
Certain liver conditions, such as cirrhosis, can disrupt hormone metabolism and increase the risk of breast cancer. Likewise, injury to, swelling in or surgery to remove testicles can increase the risk.
Symptoms
Symptoms of male breast cancer may include a painless lump or thickening in the breast tissue, changes in breast size or shape, nipple discharge or changes in the skin over the breast.
Many of these symptoms can be related to benign conditions but they should always be checked out by a health care professional when they appear.
Treatment Options
Most cancers are treated with a combination of treatments. Surgery to remove the tumor is the most common. It can involve the removal of the entire breast or removal of just the tumor and surrounding tissue. After surgery, doctors may recommend radiation therapy to target any remaining cancer cells.
Chemotherapy may be prescribed to destroy cancer cells or reduce the risk of metastasis.
Since male breast cancer is often hormone receptor-positive, hormone therapy can be an effective treatment option. It may involve the use of medications, such as tamoxifen, to block the effects of estrogen on breast tissue.
In some cases, targeted therapies that specifically target cancer cells are used. These therapies are tailored to the specific characteristics of the tumor.
Early Detection
Early detection plays a critical role in improving outcomes for male breast cancer. Because so much of the public messaging around breast cancer is targeted at women with “pink” campaigns, many men are unaware that they are at risk for breast cancer and may delay seeking medical attention.
Men should conduct regular breast self-exams and promptly report any changes or symptoms to a health care professional.
