Male breast cancer is rare, but it's important to be able to spot the signs and symptoms. Only about one in 100 breast cancer cases in the UK are in males, according to Cancer Research UK. There are key similarities although there are also differences that men should be aware of.
In total, there are around 350 men diagnosed each year in the UK, and there are a number of risk factors that could increase risks for the condition. Experts have said that warning signs for male breast cancer can be too easily overlooked.
One such expert is Dr Alexandra Hass, a radiation oncologist at the leading cancer treatment facility Proton Therapy Center Prague. Dr Haas told the Mirror : “Many people think breast cancer is a disease that only affects women, but hundreds of British men receive the devastating diagnosis each year. Unfortunately, many men overlook the symptoms and therefore get diagnosed and treated later than female patients.”
Here are risk factors and key symptoms for breast cancer in men.
Risk factors for male breast cancer
Risk factors for male breast cancer include:
- Exposure to ionising radiation: especially to the chest wall
- Cryptorchidism - a condition in which one or both testicles fail to move from the abdomen, where they develop before birth, into the scrotum
- Testicular injury
- Increased levels of oestradiol (oestrogen hormone)
- Klinefelter syndrome (when boys and men are born with an extra X chromosome)
- Cirrhosis
- Prostate cancer
- Family history
- Chest trauma
- Age
- Certain racial groups
- BRCA2 gene mutation 2
Symptoms of male breast cancer
According to the NHS, potential early warning signs of the disease may include:
- A lump in the breast – this is usually hard, painless and does not move around within the breast
- The nipple turning inwards
- Fluid oozing from the nipple (nipple discharge), which may be streaked with blood
- A sore or rash around the nipple that does not go away
- The nipple or surrounding skin becoming hard, red or swollen
- Small bumps in the armpit (swollen glands)
“As with most types of cancer, early detection can be a lifesaver and it’s important that we know the warning signs associated with the disease,” adds Dr Haas. “Men should be on alert for changes to the size or shape of the chest, small, painless lumps in the chest and armpit area and any signs of swelling in those areas, too.
“Other red flags include a sudden inversion of the nipple, a rash, bleeding or oozing from the nipple and a skin ulcer in the affected area.”
If you notice any of these changes to your body, it’s vital to seek help from your GP as soon as possible.
Diagnosing male breast cancer
“It's very unlikely you have cancer, but it's best to get your symptoms checked,” says the NHS. "Your GP will examine your breast and can refer you for tests and scans for breast cancer if needed.
“If you do not have symptoms but have a clear family history of breast cancer, your GP may refer you to a genetic specialist to discuss your risk of getting it. There are some inherited genes that increase your risk of cancer, and a blood test can be done to check for these.”
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