Breast Cancer in Males

Introduction

Most of the men thought that breast cancer only affects women and not men. They accept it as a truth that they are not at the risk of getting breast cancer. But this is not true; men are also at the risk of developing breast cancer. The main symptoms and signs of male breast cancer are given below.

Signs and symptoms

Breast lumps, swelling, dimpling around the breast area, nipple retraction, redness, scaling and nipple discharge are the main symptoms of breast cancer among males. The breast mass in men is much less than the women have, so in males breast cancer can easily affect the closer tissues than in females. That’s why these symptoms in males need not to ignore as these breast cancer in more dangerous in males than the females.

Risk factors

In the age of 60 men is more likely to develop breast cancer, so the main risk factor is advanced age. The other well-known risk factor is the family history. Liver disease can reduce the levels of androgen and can raise the levels of estrogen in males that make men more prone to the disease. Exposure to radiation can also develop breast cancer. Genetic mutations like Kleinfelters syndrome can also develop breast cancer in men.

Diagnosis

Screening mammograms are simply x-rays of each breast. The breast is placed between two plates for a few seconds while the x-rays are taken. If something appears abnormal, or better views are needed, magnified views or specially angled films are taken during the mammogram. There are some experimental screening modalities that are currently being studied. These include MRI, ductal lavage, ultrasound, optical tomography, PET scan, and digital mammograms. Depending on the results of the mammograms and/or ultrasounds, your doctors may recommend that you get a biopsy.

Treatment

There are a number of options available to men with regard to the treatment of breast cancer like surgery (modified mastectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. The survival rates for the males with breast cancer are similar to that of females with breast cancer. So men should be made mentally prepared about the fact that breast cancer can also affect them. So males need to examine regularly for the breast cancer in advanced age.