Breast Cancer: Men Can Have it Too!

Many people think breast cancer only affect women. Fact is, breast cancer can occur in men too!

Although recent statistics show that breast cancer is more common in women, a small fraction of the overall population of people with breast cancer are males. Still, male breast cancer occurrence is considered relatively rare. According to recent estimates in 2009 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), there are about 1, 910 new cases of male breast cancer in the United States. Commonly, breast cancer in men affects the older population between the ages of 60 and 70 years old.

Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the breast tissue. In male breast cancer, breast tissue cells abnormally divide forming a lump or mass. Cancer cells may invade other nearby tissues or organs, which can cause cancer to develop in that organ or tissue as well. This spreading of cancer cells to nearby tissue or organ is called metastasis.

Experts are not really sure why male breast cancer occurs. However, certain risk factors have been associated with the development of breast cancer in men including exposure to radiation; family history of the disease; and having a certain disease that can cause high estrogen levels, such as cirrhosis or Klinefelter's syndrome. In some cases, male breast cancer can be caused by abnormalities in genes.

Symptoms of Male Breast Cancer

Male breast cancer symptoms may include abnormal lumps in the breast, changes to the skin overlying the breast or nipple and fluid discharges from the nipple. Noticeable changes in the breast should prompt a person to seek consultation.

Diagnosis of Male Breast Cancer

Early diagnosis of breast cancer means that there is a greater chance of being cured. But because, often, males do not immediately consult their doctors when they notice abnormalities in their breast, the condition is diagnosed when it is already on its later stage. Breast cancer found at a later stage where it has spread to nearby tissues or other organs may be more difficult to cure.

To diagnose male breast cancer, doctors also use tests and procedures employed in diagnosing female breast cancer including biopsy, estrogen and progesterone receptor tests and HER2 test.

Treatment of Male Breast Cancer

Like most types of cancer, male breast cancer that has been diagnosed during its early stages has a greater chance of being cured. Treatment of male breast cancer is the same as the one used for treating female breast cancer.

Common treatment options for breast cancer in men include modified radical mastectomy, which is the surgical removal of the breast, most or all of the lymph nodes under the arm, and the lining over the chest muscles; radiation therapy; chemotherapy; or hormone therapy. Sometimes, a combination of treatments may be necessary.

Sources:

Male Breast Cancer (January 2010). Retrieved on February 17, 2010, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/malebreastcancer.html

Male Breast Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) (July 2008). Retrieved on February 17, 2010, from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/malebreast/Patient