The risk of developing breast cancer for men is small, with the diagnosis in men comprising less than 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses. The lifetime risk of a man developing breast cancer is approximately 1 in 1000. This is vastly different than the risk for women in which the average is 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. Although the risk is less when compared to women, all men should be aware that male breast cancer can and does happen.
Although men do not have fully developed breasts, men do have breast tissue. During development boys and girls start with the same breast tissue. During puberty breast tissue in females develops glandular tissue in response to the increasing female hormones, specifically estrogen, in the body. Without the presence of estrogen, the male breast tissue remains unchanged.
Male Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Many of the risk factors for men to develop breast cancer are similar to the risk factors for women. Here are a few risk factors to consider:
- As with women, growing older is the biggest risk factor for men to develop breast cancer.
- High levels of estrogen in the body. This can be due to many factors including:
- Hormone medications
- Lifestyle factors that will increase the amount of estrogen in the body (for example, being overweight and heavy alcohol consumption)
- Certain genetic syndromes lead to a higher-than-normal level of estrogen in the body
- Strong family history. Here are a few considerations:
- If another male in the family has been diagnosed with breast cancer
- BRCA 1 gene mutation- risk for men developing breast cancer by age 70 is 1%
- BRCA 2 gene mutation- risk for men developing breast cancer by age 70 is 6%
- Radiation exposure
- High levels of radiation exposure to the chest before age 30, are most often related to the treatment of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Unfortunately, mortality is higher in men diagnosed with breast cancer compared with women. This is mostly due to decreased awareness and a delay in treatment. Men do not have the benefit of screening for breast cancer in which the goal is to detect cancer while it is small with no apparent physical symptoms, having a higher likelihood of being treated successfully. Men are also less likely to be vigilant about seeking medical attention for changes in the breast when they first occur. Symptoms of breast cancer are similar for men and women. A palpable lump is the most common symptom but changes in the skin, nipple, and nipple discharge may also be experienced.
Although the risk is small all men should be aware of the possibility of developing male breast cancer. As is the case for women all new breast symptoms in men are not related to breast cancer but still should be evaluated by your physician and then referred for diagnostic imaging of the breast.
The imaging evaluation of new breast symptoms is the same for both men and women as discussed in these articles related to breast lumps, breast pain, and nipple discharge. Men with breast cancer almost always have a mass that is visible by both mammography and ultrasound. Any suspicious imaging findings in the male breast will need to undergo an ultrasound-guided biopsy to establish a tissue diagnosis. The sequence of events following a breast cancer diagnosis is also the same for both men and women as discussed in this article.
Bottom line: male breast cancer is rare but does occur. All men should be aware of this fact and be vigilant about seeking medical care when any physical changes in the breast occur. Always err on the side of caution and have all new breast symptoms evaluated by your primary care provider and with diagnostic imaging when appropriate.