Breast cancer may strike many as an exclusively female concern. In truth, however, men should be aware that they too can develop the disease. While rare, the American Cancer Society notes that approximately 2,350 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2015.
Risk Factors
As with women, the most significant risk factor for men developing breast cancer is age. The current average age of diagnosis is 68 years old.
Estrogen is generally thought of as a female hormone, yet it can also be present in men for a variety of reasons. High levels of estrogen in a man stimulates growth in breast cells, including potentially abnormal cells.
High estrogen levels can be found in men taking a variety of hormones, or who are overweight or consistently consuming heavy amounts of alcohol. Alcohol is included as it affects the liver’s ability to regulate estrogen levels. It is therefore the case that any other condition that affects the liver, including liver disease, can result in a high level of estrogen in men.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptom is the presence of a lump or mass that can be felt in the breast, whether the lump is externally visibly or felt through touch.
Other symptoms that should be discussed with a doctor include nipple pain and visible sores around the nipple area. Some men with breast cancer may also develop enlarged lymph nodes under the arm. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to contact a doctor immediately.
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Diagnosis and Treatment
Breast abnormalities are diagnosed through one of several medical procedures. Noninvasive procedures include either a mammogram, where an X-ray is taken of the breast from multiple angles so that doctors might observe problem areas more closely, or an ultrasound, where sound waves sent through the breast create an image of the area on screen. Unlike a mammogram, an ultrasound can discover whether a mass is solid, and therefore possibly cancerous, or filled with fluid. For further diagnosis, a doctor may also opt to perform a biopsy, where some of the problem tissue is removed for study and classification.
If a mass is discovered to be cancerous, treatment will most likely be surgical, involving complete removal of the mass and surrounding tissue. Other treatment options can include radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.
Research and Awareness
While breast cancer in men is comparatively rare, research is being undertaken in order to better understand the various risk factors for development of the disease. The focus of many of these studies is the impact of low levels of exercise, weight gain and poor diet. As with women, leading a healthy lifestyle can significantly help reduce the likelihood of developing male breast cancer.
It may be the case that some men have a genetic predisposition to developing breast cancer. Some recent research has identified several different genetic variations that may increase risk. One notable finding is that men and women seem to have different genetic factors, suggesting that breast cancer develops differently in men and women.
As with any health concern, it is important for men to monitor their bodies and report any unusual developments to doctors as soon as possible. Breast cancer may be rarer in men, but it still carries the same level of risk. Further understanding of this fact can help more men avoid discovering cancers too late for treatment.
