Can Man Have a Breast Cancer?

Men don’t have breasts like women but they do have a small amount of breast tissue. In adult men, the breasts are similar to that of a girl before puberty. In girls, the breast tissue grows and develops but the same doesn’t happen for men. However, the breast tissue can still cause breast cancer in men.

CAUSES

It is yet to be determined what exactly causes male breast cancer but many believe that when some breast cells begin to divide more rapidly than healthy cells, the accumulating cells form a tumour that spreads (metastasize) to nearby tissue, lymph nodes and other parts of the body. A man’s chances of getting breast cancer increases with age and is likely to occur between the age of 60 and 70 years.

RISK FACTORS

While the cause of breast cancer may not be completely clear, there are some factors that put you at a greater risk, such as:

If a family member has had the same disease

Radiation exposure

Enlargement of breasts from drug or hormone treatments

Estrogen

Klinefelter’s syndrome, a rare genetic syndrome

Cirrhosis of the liver

Testicular disease or injury

SYMPTOMS

The most common symptoms of male breast cancer include:

• A painless lump
• Thickening in the breast tissue
• Dimpling, puckering, redness or scaling of the skin covering your breast
• Redness or scaling of the nipple or a nipple that begins to turn inwards
• Nipple discharge

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

Male breast cancer is diagnosed using the same techniques as female breast cancer such as clinical breast exam, imaging tests, biopsy, mammography, etc.

Similarly, the treatment for breast cancer in males is same as women. Depending on the stage and extent of the cancer, treatment options can range from:

Surgery

Radiation

Chemotherapy

Hormone therapy

Unlike women, male breast cancer responds well to hormone therapy than other treatment options.

Breast cancer in men often goes unnoticed in men for long as they do not suspect anything wrong in that region. It is important to notice any changes or pain in the area and immediately consult a doctor in case of any anomalies.