Although breast cancer is commonly thought of as a disease that mostly affects women, men can also get it.
According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 726 males will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives.
Raising awareness and enhancing early identification of breast cancer in men requires an understanding of the disease's causes, symptoms, risk factors, and available treatments.
Risk factors for men
Although the precise origin of male breast cancer is unknown, several established risk factors can raise the chance of getting the disease:
- Age: Breast cancer is more likely to strike men over 60, and the risk rises with age.
- Family history: Men are at a higher risk if they have a family history of breast cancer, particularly if it involves close female relatives like moms or sisters. Inherited genetic alterations that raise the risk of cancer are partially to blame for this.
- BRCA mutations: Male breast cancer risk may also be elevated by mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These mutations increase the risk of breast cancer in men at an earlier age. Additionally, they are more likely to develop pancreatic and prostate cancer, among other cancers.
- Hormonal imbalances: Men's breast cancer can occur as a result of conditions that change the balance of hormones, especially estrogen. For example, the disease may be more common among men with high estrogen levels or those with diseases like Klinefelter syndrome, in which they have an extra X chromosome.
- Radiation exposure: One risk factor for male breast cancer is prior radiation exposure, such as from radiation treatment for other tumors. This is because radiation can harm cells' DNA and create malignant alterations.
- Lifestyle factors: Obesity and alcohol use are also associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in men. Breast cancer may occur as a result of elevated estrogen levels in the body brought on by obesity.
Symptoms
Male and female breast cancer symptoms are comparable. The existence of a breast lump is the most typical sign. Even though the bump might not hurt, it could nonetheless feel painful or uncomfortable.
Other symptoms that could be present include:
- changes in the shape or size of the breast
- discharge from the nipple, which may be clear or bloody
- skin changes, such as redness, discolouration, or dimpling
Treatment
Male breast cancer is usually treated with a mix of hormone treatment, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery:
- Surgery: Surgery to remove the tumor is the most common treatment for male breast cancer. A mastectomy, or complete removal of the breast, may be required in certain circumstances.
- Chemotherapy: When cancer has spread to other areas of the body, chemotherapy is frequently administered. It employs potent medications to eradicate or reduce cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy: After surgery, radiation therapy may be utilized to eradicate any cancer cells that may still be present, especially if the tumor is big or has spread to neighboring lymph nodes.
- Hormone therapy: A doctor may recommend hormone therapy, such as tamoxifen, to block or lower the levels of these hormones in the body because male breast cancer frequently depends on them to thrive.
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy: In certain instances, the body's immune system may be strengthened to combat cancer, or specific cancer cells may be attacked using immunotherapies or targeted medicines.
The stage of the cancer, the existence of particular genetic alterations, and other unique circumstances all influence the exact course of treatment that a doctor recommends.
The takeaway
Breast cancer is not a disease that only affects women, even though it is less common in men than in women.
Men should seek medical help if they observe any unexpected changes in their breast tissue and be aware of the symptoms and risk factors connected with male breast cancer. To improve results, early detection and treatment are essential.
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