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.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Men
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.
Because men typically have less breast tissue than most women, it is generally easier to find and detect a breast lump on a man's chest than on a woman's. However, since breast cancer is so rare in men, many simply ignore these symptoms, allowing the disease to go untreated.
Risk Factors for Men's Breast Cancer
Elder Age
Men between the ages of 60 and 70 are the most likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
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
Because the liver helps to regulate hormone levels, many men who have endured a liver disease have hormonal problems such as lower levels of androgens. This puts them at an increased risk for developing breast cancer or gynecomastia (benign 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 Syndrome
Klinefelter's Syndrome occurs at birth when a man is born with two or more X (female) chromosomes. Typically, men have one Y chromosome and one X chromosome.
Men with Klinefelter's usually have higher estrogen levels and lower androgen levels. This typically translates to a more significant risk rate for breast cancer.
Treating Breast Cancer in Men
Men's breast cancer is typically treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy - or a combination of the four treatment courses.
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.
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