Male Breast Cancer – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Breast cancer in men starts when cells in male breast tissue grow abnormally. While many consider breast cancer a women’s disease, men also have breast tissue and can develop this condition.
Male breast cancer occurs less frequently than in women, representing about 1% of all breast cancer cases. It typically affects older men, though it can develop at any age.
Treatment options typically include surgery to remove affected breast tissue. Doctors may also recommend additional treatments such as:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted drug therapy
Men with certain risk factors, including family history, genetic mutations, and radiation exposure, should be particularly aware of any breast changes.
Signs and Symptoms
Male breast cancer often shows up as physical changes in the chest area. These changes might include:
- A lump or thickened area on the chest that doesn’t hurt
- Skin changes on the chest (dimpling, puckering, scaling, or color changes)
- Nipple changes, such as skin color differences, scaling, or a nipple that starts to turn inward
- Fluid or blood coming from the nipple
Talk To a Doctor
If you notice any worrying symptoms in your chest area, make an appointment with a healthcare provider right away. Early detection is important for effective treatment.
Causes
Breast cancer in men happens when breast tissue cells have DNA changes. These changes tell cells to grow and multiply too quickly. The cells don’t die when they should. This creates too many cells that may form tumors.
These tumors can damage healthy tissue nearby. Cancer cells might break away and spread to other body parts. When cancer spreads this way, doctors call it metastatic cancer.
Origin Points of Male Breast Cancer
All people have some breast tissue when they are born. This tissue includes glands that can make milk, ducts that carry milk to nipples, and fat.
During puberty, females typically develop more breast tissue, while males usually don’t. However, since everyone has some breast tissue, breast cancer can develop in anyone.
Male breast cancer appears in several forms:
- Ductal carcinoma – This is the most common type in men. It starts in the milk ducts that connect to the nipple.
- Lobular carcinoma – This type begins in the milk-producing glands (lobules). It’s less common in men because they typically have fewer lobular cells than women.
Other varieties include:
- Paget’s disease of the nipple
- Inflammatory breast cancer
These less common types affect men more rarely but are still possible.
The exact reason why male breast cancer develops remains unclear. Scientists continue researching to better understand what triggers the DNA changes that lead to this condition.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase a man’s chance of developing breast cancer:
- Age: Men over 60 are more likely to develop breast cancer. The risk grows as men get older.
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Hormone-Related Factors:
- Taking estrogen-containing medications
- Hormone therapy for prostate cancer
- Klinefelter syndrome (being born with extra X chromosomes)
- Testicle conditions (inflammation or surgical removal)
-
Genetic Factors:
- Family history of breast cancer in close relatives
- Inherited DNA changes, particularly BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations
-
Health Conditions:
- Liver disease, especially cirrhosis, which can disrupt hormone balance
- Obesity, which increases estrogen levels in the body
This risk factor table shows the relationship between different factors and relative risk:
| Risk Factor | Impact on Risk |
|---|---|
| Age over 60 | High |
| BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations | High |
| Family history | Moderate to High |
| Klinefelter syndrome | Moderate |
| Hormone therapy | Moderate |
| Liver disease | Moderate |
| Obesity | Moderate |
| Testicle conditions | Low to Moderate |
Men with multiple risk factors should discuss screening options with their doctor.
Some risk factors, like genetics and age, cannot be changed. Others, like weight and certain medications, can sometimes be modified.
Prevention
Most men can’t prevent breast cancer. If you have a high risk, there are steps to help reduce it.
Family History and Genetic Risk
If breast cancer runs in your family, certain DNA changes might increase your risk. BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked to a higher breast cancer risk in men.
If a blood relative has these genetic changes:
- Talk with your healthcare provider about your family history
- Consider genetic testing to check if you carry these DNA changes
- Develop a screening plan if you test positive
Men with genetic risk factors may need regular breast cancer screening. This typically includes:
- Learning how your chest tissue normally looks and feels
- Watching for any changes to skin or tissue
- Getting annual chest examinations by a healthcare professional
For Transgender Men
If you haven’t had chest surgery:
- Discuss breast cancer screening with your healthcare provider.
- Then, follow screening guidelines for people assigned female at birth.
If you’ve had gender-affirming chest surgery:
- Be aware that breast cancer is still possible but rare.
- Also, note that some breast tissue often remains after surgery.
- Then, become familiar with how your chest looks and feels.
- Lastly, report any changes immediately to your healthcare team.
Regular self-checks are important for anyone at increased risk. Pay attention to changes in skin texture, lumps, or discharge.
