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 The most common kinds of breast cancer in men are
the same kinds in women—
Invasive ductal carcinoma. The cancer cells grow outside the
ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive cancer cells
can also spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body.
Invasive lobular carcinoma. Cancer cells spread from the
lobules to the breast tissues that are close by. These invasive
cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a breast disease that may
lead to breast cancer. The cancer cells are only in the lining of
the ducts and have not spread to other tissues in the breast.
What Are the Symptoms?
The most common symptoms of breast cancer in men are—
A lump or swelling in the breast.
Redness or flaky skin in the breast.
Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
Nipple discharge.
Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
These symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not cancer.
If you have any symptoms that worry you, see your doctor right away.
What Are the Risk Factors?
Several factors can increase a man’s chance of getting breast
cancer. Having risk factors does not mean you will get breast
cancer.
Getting older. The risk for breast cancer increases with age.
Most breast cancers are found after age 50.
Genetic mutations. Inherited changes (mutations) in certain
genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, increase breast cancer risk.
Family history of breast cancer. A man’s risk for breast
cancer is higher if a close family member has had breast cancer.
Radiation therapy treatment. Men who had radiation therapy to
the chest have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
Hormone therapy treatment. Drugs containing estrogen (a
hormone that helps develop and maintain female sex characteristics),
which were used to treat prostate cancer in the past, increase men’s
breast cancer risk.
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Klinefelter syndrome. Klinefelter
syndromeexternal icon is a rare genetic condition in which a male
has an extra X chromosome. This can lead to the body making higher
levels of estrogen and lower levels of androgens (hormones that help
develop and maintain male sex characteristics).
Conditions that affect the testicles. Injury to, swelling in,
or surgery to remove the testicles can increase breast cancer risk.
Liver disease. Cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver can lower
androgen levels and raise estrogen levels in men, increasing the
risk of breast cancer.
Overweight and obesity. Older men who are overweight or have
obesity have a higher risk of getting breast cancer than men at a
normal weight.
What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk?
If several members of your family have had breast or ovarian cancer,
or one of your family members has a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation,
share this information with your doctor. Your doctor may refer you
for genetic counseling. In men, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2
genes can increase the risk of breast cancer, high-grade prostate
cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
If genetic testing shows that you have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene
mutation, your doctor will explain what you should do to find cancer
early, if you get it.
All men can lower their risk by keeping a healthy weight and
exercising regularly.
How Is Breast Cancer Treated?
Treatment for breast cancer is the same in men as in women. It
depends on how big the tumor is and how far it has spread. Treatment
may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone
therapy, and targeted therapy. For more information, see the
National Cancer Institute’s
Male Breast Cancer Treatment.
[Content source: Division of Cancer
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] |
