When we think of breast cancer, we all think of women. That's normal. But did you know that, although very rare, men can also develop breast cancer? This is actually a topic that many people don't know about, and don't talk about. That's why if a man develops this disease, it's more likely to be diagnosed late. So today we thought we'd talk about this in a very simple and friendly way, like we would talk to a friend or family member.
Simply put, even though men don't have the large breasts of women, they do have a small amount of breast tissue. More precisely, they have the same amount of breast tissue as a girl before she reaches puberty. While a girl's breast tissue grows over time, men don't. However, because they have breast tissue, men are also at risk of developing breast cancer. Only about one in 1,000 men will develop the disease in their lifetime. This means it is very rare.
Doctors used to think that breast cancer in men was more serious than breast cancer in women. But now it is being discovered that the severity of both is almost the same. The biggest problem here is that breast cancer in men is often diagnosed late. This is because men often don't think much about it even if they notice a change in their chest area, such as a lump.
Who is most at risk?
It is very rare for a man under the age of 35 to develop breast cancer. The risk increases as you get older. Most cases of male breast cancer are reported in the 60s and 70s.
In addition, there are several other factors that increase the risk of breast cancer. Let's look at them in a table.
| Risk Factor | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| A close female relative has breast cancer | If someone like your mother, sister, or daughter has had breast cancer, the risk may be slightly increased due to genetic influences. |
| Having received radiation treatment to the chest | If you have received radiation treatment to the chest area for another medical condition, that is also a risk factor. |
| Breast enlargement (Gynecomastia) | Some medications, hormone treatments, infections, or toxins can cause enlarged breasts in men. These conditions also increase the risk. |
| Taking the hormone estrogen | Men who take the female hormone estrogen for some treatments are at higher risk. |
| Rare genetic conditions | Rare genetic conditions such as Klinefelter's syndrome. |
| Severe liver disease (Cirrhosis) | Severe liver diseases such as cirrhosis can cause hormonal imbalances in the body and increase the risk. |
| Testicular diseases | Mumps can cause swelling of the testicles (mumps orchitis), damage to the testicles, or failure of the testicles to descend from the body. |
| Obesity | Obesity increases the risk of excess production of the hormone estrogen by the body's fat cells. |
What are the symptoms of this?
The symptoms of breast cancer in men are very similar to those in women. Often, the disease is first diagnosed after a man notices a lump in his chest.
The most important thing is that this knot is usually painless , which is why many people ignore it.
Other symptoms are:
- The nipple is sunken in.
- A discharge of fluid or blood from the nipple .
- Redness, blistering, or soreness of the nipple or surrounding skin.
- A lump or swelling in the armpit (this could be a cyst).
Men often see a doctor only after they have a serious symptom, such as bleeding from the nipple. By then, the cancer has likely spread to other parts of the body. So, if you notice any small changes or lumps in your breast, don't ignore it and see a doctor right away.
Diagnosis and treatment methods
How to diagnose the disease?
The same method used to diagnose breast cancer in women is also used for men.
- Physical Exam: The doctor will examine your chest and armpit area.
- Mammography : An X-ray examination of the breasts.
- Biopsy: This is the most definitive way to confirm the diagnosis. This involves taking a very small piece of tissue from the lump and examining it under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells.
What are the treatments?
The treatments given to men and women are largely the same. Often, a combination of treatments is given rather than a single treatment. Let's look at that in a table.
| Treatment method | What happens with this? |
|---|---|
| Surgery | The most common treatment is a surgical procedure called a mastectomy . This involves removing the entire breast tissue. Sometimes, surgery is also performed to remove just the tumor. One or more lumps in the armpit are removed and examined to see if the cancer has spread. |
| Radiation Therapy | This treatment is given to destroy any cancer cells that may remain after surgery. If the cancer has spread too far for surgery, radiation therapy may also be given as the main treatment. |
| Chemotherapy | This involves giving drugs (pills or injections) that kill cancer cells. This treatment is given after surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. It can also be given as the main treatment if the cancer has spread. |
| Hormone Therapy | Some types of breast cancer need certain hormones to grow. This treatment works by blocking the action of those hormones. Since 90% of male cancers are hormone-sensitive, this treatment is more effective in men than in women. The most commonly used drug is tamoxifen . Important: Men with breast cancer should not take testosterone for any reason , as it can cause cancer cells to grow. |
| Targeted Therapy | Some men's cancer cells have too much of a protein called HER2 . This makes the cancer spread quickly. Drugs like Trastuzumab work by blocking the action of this protein and controlling the growth of cancer cells. |
Remember, even if you have breast cancer and are cured after treatment, it is essential to maintain a lifelong relationship with your doctor and have regular checkups. Regular medical care is essential to staying healthy.
Take-Home Message
- Breast cancer is not just a disease that affects women. Although rare, it can also affect men. That's why it's important to be aware of this.
- If you notice any lumps, swelling, skin changes, or changes in your breast or armpit area (dimpling, discharge), don't ignore it, even if it's not painful. See a doctor immediately.
- In this disease, the sooner it is diagnosed, the greater the chance of treatment and complete recovery.
- If you think you have any risk factors, talk to your doctor about it.
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