The Basics
Male breast cancer is a rare cancer that forms in the breast tissue of men. It accounts for less than one-percent of all breast cancer diagnoses. Though breast cancer is most commonly thought of as a woman’s disease, it indeed can and does occur in men.
Male breast cancer is more commonly found in older men, typically between the ages of 60 and 70 but can occur at any age.
Men diagnosed with male breast cancer at an early stage have a good chance for a cure. However, many men delay seeing their doctors if they notice unusual signs or symptoms, such as a breast lump. For this reason, many male breast cancers tend to be diagnosed when the disease is more advanced.
Downloadable brochure on male breast cancer
Know the Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of male breast cancer can include:
- A painless lump or thickening in your breast tissue
- Changes to the skin covering your breast, such as dimpling, puckering, redness or scaling
- Changes to your nipple, such as redness or scaling, or a nipple that begins to turn inward
- Discharge from your nipple
If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. Do not delay!
Understand the Causes
It is not completely clear what causes male breast cancer. We know that male breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do. The accumulating cells form a tumor that may spread (metastasize) to nearby tissue, to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body.
Where breast cancer begins in men
Everyone is born with a small amount of breast tissue. Breast tissue is made up of milk-producing glands (lobules), ducts that carry milk to the nipples and fat. Women begin developing more breast tissue during puberty and men do not. Because men are born with a small amount of breast tissue, they can develop breast cancer.
Types of breast cancer diagnosed in men include:
- Cancer that begins in the milk ducts. Ductal carcinoma is the most common type of male breast cancer. Nearly all male breast cancers begin in the milk ducts.
- Cancer that begins in the milk-producing glands. Lobular carcinoma is rare in men because men have few lobules in their breast tissue.
- Cancer that spreads to the nipple. In some cases, breast cancer can form in the milk ducts and spread to the nipple, causing crusty, scaly skin around the nipple. This is called Paget’s disease of the nipple.
In addition, some men inherit mutated genes from their parents that increase the risk of breast cancer. Mutations in one of several genes, especially a gene called BRCA2, put you at greater risk of developing breast and prostate cancers. The normal function of these genes is to help prevent cancer by making proteins that keep cells from growing abnormally. But if they have a mutation, the genes aren’t as effective at protecting you from cancer.
Meeting with a genetic counselor and undergoing genetic testing may determine whether you carry gene mutations that increase your risk of breast cancer. Discuss the benefits and risks of genetic testing with your doctor.
Know the Risk Factors
Factors that increase the risk of male breast cancer include:
- Older age. Breast cancer is most common in men ages 60 to 70.
- Exposure to estrogen. If you take estrogen-related drugs, such as those used as part of a sex-change procedure, your risk of breast cancer is increased. Estrogen drugs may also be used in hormone therapy for prostate cancer.
- Family history of breast cancer. If you have a close family member with breast cancer, you have a greater chance of developing the disease.
- Klinefelter’s syndrome. This genetic syndrome occurs when a boy is born with more than one copy of the X chromosome. Klinefelter’s syndrome causes abnormal development of the testicles. As a result, men with this syndrome produce lower levels of certain male hormones (androgens) and more female hormones (estrogens).
- Liver disease. If you have liver disease, such as cirrhosis of the liver, your male hormones may be reduced and your female hormones may be increased. This can increase your risk of breast cancer.
- Obesity. Obesity may be a risk factor for breast cancer in men because it increases the number of fat cells in the body. Fat cells convert androgens into estrogen, which may increase the amount of estrogen in your body and, therefore, your risk of breast cancer.
- Radiation exposure. If you’ve received radiation treatments to your chest, such as those used to treat cancers in the chest, you’re more likely to develop breast cancer later in life.
Understand What You Can Do
Are you going through breast cancer or have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer and need some hope and inspiration to keep you going on the right track to health and wellness? Scroll through Next Steps to get help with talking to your family, figuring out which questions to ask, and more about the surviving breast cancer.
Prevention
To reduce your risk of being diagnosed with male breast cancer you can:
- Supplement with Vitamin D. 2,000 IU per day.
- Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Limit yourself to a drink or two a day.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If your weight is healthy, work to maintain it by exercising most days of the week. If you’re overweight or obese, work to lose weight slowly. Ask your doctor about strategies to lose weight.
- Eat a Plant. Emphasize fruits and vegetables in your diet.
- Exercise Daily. Increase your exercise time to at least five hours per week.
