Can Men Get Breast Cancer? What To Know

You didn’t know men could develop breast cancer? You’re not alone!

When we talk about breast cancer, the image that often comes to mind is that of a woman. But what if we told you that men can get breast cancer too? It's a reality that many are unaware of, and understanding the risk is the first step towards early detection and saving lives.

"Men tend to ignore some of these symptoms because it's not very common," said Sheela Konda, MD, a breast radiologist at Franciscan Health Munster, and the medical director of the Breast Imaging Center at Franciscan Health Munster and Dyer. "So by the time we see a breast cancer in a male tends to be larger compared to women, and sometimes it has spread already to the lymph nodes."

Learn about the symptoms of breast cancer in men, the risks and why early diagnosis is paramount.

What Are Symptoms Of Breast Cancer In Men?

Some breast cancer symptoms men may notice are any changes to breast or nipple area such as:

• Lumps in breast tissue
• Discoloration of a portion of the breast
• Dimpling or pulling in of the breast tissue
• Itchy or scaly or discharge from the nipple
• Pulling in of the nipple
• Pain in the nipple or breast
• Swollen lymph nodes under the arms

There may be other causes for these breast changes, such as benign breast tumors or gynecomastia, an increase in the amount of breast glandular tissue caused by a hormone imbalance.  If you notice any changes in your breasts, you should see a health care professional as soon as possible. Finding breast cancer in men early improves the chances that it can be treated successfully. 

How Common Is Breast Cancer In Men?

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 2,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2025. The average lifetime risk of male breast cancer is about 1 in 726.

What Causes Breast Cancer In Men?

The major cause of male breast cancer is genetic predisposition. About 20% of men who develop breast cancer will have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. The same genes that can raise breast cancer risks in women -- BRCA1 and BRCA2 -- work similarly in men.

Additional risk factors for breast cancer in men include:

• Age (65 years and above)
• Heavy alcohol use
• A family history of breast, ovarian or prostate cancer
• Klinefelter's syndrome (a genetic condition related to high levels of estrogen in the body)
• Liver disease
• Being overweight or obese
• Radiation exposure
• Taking estrogen

How Is Male Breast Cancer Diagnosed?

As in women, diagnosing breast cancer in men can be done through diagnostic tests such as a mammogram or breast biopsy.

Why Is Breast Cancer In Men Often Diagnosed Later?

Because breast cancer is not often suspected in men, a breast cancer diagnosis often comes only after a tumor has begun to spread throughout the body.

"It tends to be larger and may even have spread to other places compared to the same type of tumor in a woman" due to the later diagnosis, Dr. Konda said.

"Approximately one-half of males with breast cancer received a diagnosis after it had already spread," either to nearby or distant tissues, said a team of researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Late diagnosis can be lethal: Overall, five-year survival with male breast cancer diagnosed early was nearly 99%, but it dropped to about 26% for men whose tumors had already spread to "distant" sites upon diagnosis. Nearly one in every 10 cases of male breast cancer (8.7%) were diagnosed at a late stage, the CDC team found.

For men, the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 1 in 833.

How Do They Treat Male Breast Cancer?

The treatment for male breast cancer is similar to how we treat women with breast cancer. A biopsy is necessary to determine what the mass is, along with particular markers that the pathologist will study under the microscope.

If the mass is diagnosed to be a breast cancer, the patient will see a breast surgeon and as a team determine which approach is most appropriate; breast conserving therapy or a mastectomy.

The patient also will see an oncologist to determine if endocrine (anti-hormone) therapy or chemotherapy or radiation therapy is necessary.

What Is The Survival Rate For Male Breast Cancer?

Survival rates for male breast cancer are similar to survival rates for women with breast cancer. Men are often diagnosed at a later stage of cancer, however. Only a small percentage of male breast cancer cases are detected while still contained within the duct (referred to as DCIS, or ductal carcinoma in situ).

According to the American Cancer Society, in 80 to 90 percent of diagnosed cases, the tumor is already invasive -- that is, it has broken through the duct walls, entering a more dangerous and potentially life-threatening stage. Men whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes are at high risk for a recurrence, which typically takes place within a couple of years, according to the American Cancer Society. The disease can also metastasize to other parts of the body, in particular the bones, lungs, liver, and brain.

How Can Men Prevent Breast Cancer?

As with women, the best protection from breast cancer for men is early detection. Be aware of your family history of different cancers and follow up with your doctor if you notice anything different with your breast tissue.

It's as important for men as it is for women to report any breast lump, nipple discharge, or change in a breast to their doctors. And seek a second opinion if necessary. The earlier you catch male breast cancer, the better your chances are of beating it.

HealthDay News contributed information to this article.