If you believed that only women are prone to developing breast cancer, then think again? Just like females, men too can develop this potentially fatal health condition which involves uncontrollable division and growth of malignant cells in the inner linings of the breast tissue.
However, as compared to females, the occurrence of breast cancer in men is relatively rare accounting for around 1 percent of all breast cancer cases. Hence, awareness about the condition is very low due to which most people postpone seeking medical attention even if they notice some of the early signs and symptoms. It is only when the condition has progressed considerably and is in the advanced stage do people seek medical attention for the same. Read on to know all about male breast cancer, its symptoms, risk factors, statistics and treatment modules.
Male Breast Cancer Statistics: According to the American Cancer Society, there will be a total of around 2,190 estimated cases and around 410 estimated deaths of male breast cancer in the US in 2012. The condition is around 100 times less common in men than women. Hence, the risk of developing breast cancer in male is about 1 in 1000.
Male Breast Cancer Symptoms and Signs: Male breast cancer usually presents itself as one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
1) Painless, firm mass or lump in the subareolar region or below the nipple.
2) Skin changes in the area like redness or scaling of the nipple, ulceration of the skin or retraction of the nipple (inward turn of the nipple).
3) Nipple pain
4) Discharge from the nipple which can be either bloody or opaque
5) Palpable axillary nodes
6) General weakness or malaise
7) Weight loss in some patients
Male Breast Cancer Risk Factors: As awareness of breast cancer is very low, it is extremely vital to know more about the risk factors of the cancer in men. Identifying the risk factors will enable men to take precautionary measures and be more aware of the condition. This will also enable them to take timely medical intervention and thereby prevent the condition to progress towards the advanced stages.
1) Age: An important risk factor of breast cancer in men is age. Just like in women, the probability of developing breast cancer in men increases with age with the median age of development being 64-65 years.
2) Family History: The risk of developing breast cancer in men increases if the person has a strong family history of the condition. The risk is also high for those who have an established breast cancer gene abnormality (BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes) in their family. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 out of every 5 cases of male breast cancer has a family history of the condition.
3) Alcohol: Heavy consumption of alcohol also predisposes a person towards developing breast cancer.
4) Obesity: Obesity is another factor that increases the risk of breast cancer development in men. This is mainly because in obese people, fat cells in the body convert the male hormones or androgens into female hormones.
5) Occupation: Certain form of occupations where a person is required to work in hot environments like coal mines also predisposes him to developing the condition. This is because working in such environments can affect the hormones levels by affecting the testicles. Such hormonal imbalances can lead to development of breast cancer in males.
6) Klinefelter syndrome: This is a rare congenital male syndrome in which the person has more than one X chromosomes (normally men have 1 X chromosome and 1 Y chromosome). This condition makes the person infertile as they have lower levels of the male hormones than the female hormones.
Apart from this, certain testicular conditions and exposure to radiations can also lead to development of breast cancer in men.
Male Breast Cancer Treatment: Treatment for male breast cancer mainly depends upon the stage of breast cancer and may range from surgical interventions to chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy. The systemic therapies involve passing various anti-cancer drugs via the oral cavity or by injections through a vein.
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