Breast cancer is thought to be a disease that only affects women. While there’s no denying that it is one of the biggest killers of females, it’s a fallacy to think that it is a woman’s disease. It is rare, but breast cancer also affects men. According to Cancer Statistics 2002, it accounts for less than one percent of all the cancers in men and of all the diagnosed breast cancers. It may be a minuscule number, but the challenges of diagnosing and treating the disease are anything but. On Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s understand all the facets of male breast cancer, including the risks, symptoms, causes and treatment.

How Can Men Get Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is not associated with men because men don’t have breasts. But men do have breast tissues, albeit in a small amount, due to which, men can get breast cancer. Causes of male breast cancer are poorly understood, and all the studies we have so far are insignificant. Men also don’t acknowledge their cancer symptoms and are often diagnosed late due to the misconceptions they have about the disease. Are You More Prone to Breast Cancer?

Who is At Risk of Male Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer in men may be rare, but certain environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors can predispose a person to it. Here are some of the risk factors:

Age

Cases of breast cancer in younger men are unlikely. Older men between the ages of 60 and 70 are more at risk. The peak age of onset for breast cancer is 71.

Genetics

In 15-20 percent of the cases, men with breast cancer have a family history. Like women, men with BRCA gene mutation will have an increased risk of breast cancer. The more the number of first degree relatives with breast cancer the man has, the higher his risk of breast cancer.

Gynaecomastia

Hormonal imbalances can cause some men to develop prominent breasts like women. Excessive oestrogen in the body is the culprit, which causes men’s breast tissues to grow, predisposing them to breast cancer.

Underlying Diseases

Klinefelter's syndrome is a chromosomal condition where men are born with an extra X chromosome. The normal male chromosome arrangement is 46XY in men and 47XXY in men with Klinefelter's syndrome. These men have been 20 to 50 times more at risk of breast cancer.

Obesity

Obesity is one of the biggest causes of cancer today. Apart from obesity being a risk factor for male breast cancer, it has currently become one of the contributing factors to the increased incidence of the disease in men.

Occupation

Occupational factors can sometimes contribute to breast cancer. Men who commonly work in hot environments such as blast furnaces and factories producing soap, perfume, petrol, etc. are shown to have an increased risk of male breast cancer.

Radiation Exposure

The breast tissues are sensitive to radiation, especially if they are exposed to it at a young age. Exposure to radiation through radiographs or radiotherapy can increase breast cancer risks in both men and women.

What Are The Symptoms of Male Breast Cancer?

Symptoms of breast cancer in men are not very different from those in women. Any change in the breast area should be a cause for concern and warrants a visit to the doctor. How To Check Your Breasts For Lumps.

  • Any hard lumps in the breast or underarm area, which are tender but painless

  • Dimpling on the breast area along with puckering or redness on the skin

  • Change in the size and shape of the breasts

  • Rash or itchy scales on the breast

  • Inverted nipples

  • Discharge from the nipple

What is The Treatment for Male Breast Cancer?

Most of the treatment methods for male breast cancers are not different from those of breast cancers in women. Here are some of the treatment options:

Surgery

The mainstay of male breast cancer treatment is surgery. Mastectomy is commonly prescribed as a treatment method for men.

Endocrine Therapy

Since most breast cancers in men are oestrogen receptor positive, endocrine therapy is commonly provided as a treatment method. Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors have had good results in treating the disease.

Radiotherapy

A few studies have proved radiotherapy to be useful in the local control of the cancerous tissues but lack in other parameters. Therefore, radiotherapy is prescribed as a deterrent for men who have already undergone surgery for breast cancer.

Chemotherapy

Chemo is used to treat patients of male breast cancer before and after their surgeries. It is also used as the main form of treatment for men whose cancer has spread.

Watch Video on Male Breast Cancer Symptoms:

What Are The Challenges of Treating Male Breast Cancer?

While male breast cancers rarely happen in men, the survival rates are lower than that of female breast cancer, and one of the main reasons is the late diagnosis. Also, the treatments for breast cancer are made keeping women in mind. The misconception that they may also work for men is another reason why treating male breast cancer is so difficult.

On Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2018, it is important to focus attention on both female and male breast cancer. Awareness about the condition can help in early diagnosis and treatment, decreasing the mortality rate currently associated with the disease.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2018 01:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).