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Can Men Get Breast Cancer? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
By Prashant Baghel
Breast cancer incidence is common in women, but there are some rare chances when men can also develop cancer. Although the chance of developing these cancers in men is highly rare, it can be just as serious and life-threatening. One of the serious issues is that cancer awareness is comparatively low. Men are usually diagnosed with this cancer at an advanced stage of life. It can negatively affect the treatment outcomes in patients.
In this article, we’ll discover how cancer awareness and learning risk factors help with early diagnosis and increased survival rates.
Can men really get cancer?
Yes, in some rare cases, men can also get breast cancer. Men do not have fully developed breasts. But men are born with small amounts of breast tissue, including breast ducts, where cancer can develop. Male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancer types, yet thousands of men are diagnosed with these cancers globally each year. It's rare to develop these cancers in men, but due to a lack of cancer awareness, they are unaware that developing these types of cancer is a possibility for them.
Why is breast cancer diagnosed in men late?
The major reason why male breast cancer is often diagnosed late is the assumption that breast lumps in men are harmless. Many men ignore early signs of delay in getting medical evaluations due to the embarrassment or disbelief of getting diagnosed with these cancers. Even men are at high risk of developing these cancers, and making an early diagnosis seems challenging in most men. As a result of this, these types of cancer in men can get into an advanced stage by the time they get their diagnosis and treatments.
Causes and risk factors
The exact causes of developing these types of cancers in men have not been discovered yet. There are several factors that are known to increase the cancer risk in men.
These may include:
- Age: Men above 50 and 60 age are at high risk of developing these types of cancer. These types of cancer are most commonly diagnosed between the age of 60 and 70 years of age, although it can occur at any age.
- Hormonal imbalance : Men who experience hormonal imbalance between estrogen and testosterone can increase the risk of developing these cancers.
An increased level of estrogen can develop when they are diagnosed with:
- Obesity
- Chronic liver disease
- Any testicular conditions
- Certain medications
- A rare medical condition where men might have an X chromosome
- Genetic mutations and family history of cancer: Men who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 have significantly increased the risk of developing male breast cancer. A strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer also raises concern about the development of this cancer. Genetic testing and counseling and testing may be recommended for men with a known family history of cancer.
- Radiation exposure: Men who have undergone radiation therapy previously for the chest, usually given for conditions such as lymphoma, might have a high risk of developing this type of cancer later in life.
- Lifestyle factors : Men with habits of excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, and obesity can increase the risk of developing this cancer.
Types of breast cancer in men
The most common type of male breast cancer is invasive ductal carcinoma, which usually begins in the milk ducts of the breasts and tends to spread to the surrounding breast tissue. Here are some of the common types of breast cancer in men, including:
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- Inflammatory breast cancer
- Paget’s disease of the nipple
Understanding the types of cancer and its stage and symptoms can help people to guide treatment decisions.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the patient’s cancer’s stage, type, and hormone receptor status, as well as the patient’s overall individual health concerns.
Some of these treatment options may include:
- Surgery: Surgical procedures are always known as the primary treatment options. The most common procedure is mastectomy, which removes the affected breast tissues and sometimes lymph nodes.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy often used after surgery to destroy the cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.
- Chemotherapy: These treatments are often used when the cancer has spread to the breasts and it has a high risk of returning after treatments. Many doctors use powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells throughout the body.
- Hormone therapy: Most male breast cancers are hormone-receptive; in simpler terms, the presence of estrogen can increase the growth of cancer in men. Consuming medicines like tamoxifen helps to block estrogen hormones in patients.
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy: In some cases, where cancer cells express certain proteins, and targeted therapies have been used to treat these types of cancers. Immunotherapy is also considered as a treatment option in specific advanced cancer cases.
Living with breast cancer
Being diagnosed with these cancers in men can be emotionally challenging and triggering to handle. But getting a consultation with an experienced cancer specialist and support from the care teams, friends, and families helps patients to cope with physical and psychological challenges. Long-term follow-up and care are essential to monitor for the risk of recurrence and manage the side effects of cancer treatments.
Consult Today
Can men get breast cancer? Although it's rare to develop breast cancer in men. In reality, it's highly real and potentially life-threatening. Understanding the causes and risk factors and seeking a timely diagnosis and consultation are crucial towards successful treatment. It's important for men to take their health seriously and consult a doctor if you notice any sudden changes. Early detection, cancer awareness, and informed decisions can make more life-saving differences in the lives of men.
At Oncare, we offer premium-quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries, at an affordable price range with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialist today. Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
The symptoms of breast cancer may include a change in the size and shape and a mass or lump, which can feel like a pea; experiencing a lump or thickening near your breast or underarm that stays through the menstrual cycle; a marble-like hardened area under the breast; and blood-stained fluid discharge from the breast.
Surgical procedure is the primary breast cancer treatment. While many healthcare practitioners use some other treatments. Some of the breast cancer surgeries may include mastectomy, lumpectomy, and breast reconstruction.
In most cases, doctors recommend physical examinations and order mammograms to check for signs of breast cancer. These may include:
- Breast Ultrasound
- Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Breast biopsy
- Immunohistochemistry
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