Male Breast Cancer: Women Are Not the Only Ones at Risk

That is right guys, you too can develop breast cancer, although the chances are very low, they are still there.

Men have breast tissue just like women do, only it is a very small amount and is located right behind the nipple. So, if men have breast tissue and can develop breast cancer, why don't they have breast? Male hormones prevent milk glands from developing and breast tissue from growing, but it does not prevent the cancer.

Male breast cancer is really no different than female breast cancer. In both situations, cancer cells develop in the breast tissue. In most male cases the results are non cancerous, but rather a breast disorder such as Gynecomastia or Klinefeter Syndrome.

As I said before the chances of a man developing breast cancer is very low. So low in fact, that fewer than 1 percents of all breast cancer cases are male. The reason for this is that male breasts are underdeveloped, the milk ducts are incomplete, so there is really very little for a cancer cell to develop on and spread. In most situation men that do develop breast cancer are 60 years of age and over.

There are conditions and situations that could increase the chance of male breast cancer. A few of these are as follows:

• Breast cancer runs in the family
• Injury to the testicles
• Imbalance of testosterone-estrogen
• Exposure to radiation
• Inherited gene mutation
• Undeveloped/Undescended testicles

Breast cancer can go undetected for many years, the sign and symptoms may even be hard to notice. As the cancer mass grows, the symptoms will be easier to detect.

Signs & Symptoms

• Lump in the breast
• Discharge from the nipple
• Rash, or skin discoloration around the nipple
• Lump in the armpit area
• Change in the shape, size or temperature of breast
• Nipple turned inward
• Dimpling of skin on the breast

Treatment and recovery for male breast cancer is much the same a female breast cancer. The cancer mass with be removed from the breast and therapies may be used to finish treatment. Examples of therapies are Hormone Therapy, Targeted Therapy, Chemotherapy, Herceptin Therapy or Biological Therapy.

The best way to prevent breast cancer for both men and women, is to keep yourself healthy. Get regular check up with your doctor, eat right, exercise and learn how to perform self breast exams.

sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com
http://www.cancer.gov
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com