Detecting Male Breast Cancer
When we think of breast cancer we don’t usually associate the disease with men. And yet breast cancer among men has been on the rise over the last 20 years without any firm reasons why. In fact this year alone it is estimated that 1690 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed amongst men in the United States and that of the 40,870 people who will die from the disease approximately 460 of those will be men.
So the natural first thought is how can a man develop breast cancer? Isn’t the male breast different somehow from the female breast? The answer is they are not as different as one might think.
Until a child reaches puberty, both genders have small amounts of breast tissue that consists of tubular passages or ducts under the nipple and areola. When puberty is reached in girls, female hormones cause growth of these ducts and the development of milk glands at the end of the ducts. The amount of fatty and connective tissue surrounding the ducts and glands begins to increase and breasts are formed. For boys on the other hand, with the onset of puberty male hormones prevent the further growth of breast tissues. So while a man’s breast tissue may contain ducts or tubular passages, there are only a few if any milk glands (lobules).
The cells of the male breast ducts are the same as the cells of a woman’s breast ducts or any of the cells in the human body. They can undergo cancerous changes.
The types of breast cancer that can be found in men are:
– Infiltrating ductal carcinoma. In this form of breast cancer the cancer has spread beyond the cells lining ducts in the breast. This is the most common form of cancer in men with breast cancer.
– Ductal carcinoma in situ. Abnormal cells are found in the lining of the duct. This is also known as intraductal carcinoma.
– Inflammatory breast cancer. In this type of cancer the breasts appear red and swollen and feel warm to the touch.
– Paget’s disease of the nipple. This a tumor that has grown from ducts beneath the nipple onto the nipple surface.
The next thought may be of the risks for these cancerous changes in the male breasts.
Are you yourself at risk, or could your husband or significant other be susceptible to the disease? According to the American Breast Cancer Society and the National cancer institute, a few of the risk factors for male breast cancer are:
– Age. The average age at the time of diagnosis tends to be around 67 years old.
– Family history. About 20% of men that have a family member with the disease have developed breast cancer.
– Inherited gene mutations. 5 to 10% have the inherited gene mutations BRCA1 or BRCA2.
– Klinefelter Syndrome. This is a congenital (present at birth) condition that effects 1 of 1000 men. With this syndrome an extra X chromosome sometimes up to 4 are present. This causes smaller testicles and less sperm along with lower male hormones and higher female hormones. Often times there is benign male breast development or gynecomastia.
– Radiation exposure. Men who have been exposed to high levels of radiation are at an increased risk.
– Liver disease. Cirrhosis is a liver disease in which cells are replaced with scar tissue. Higher levels of estrogen are present and can increase the risk of cancer.
These are only a few of the risks that are associated with breast cancer and they are listed to promote awareness NOT to diagnose the disease. If you are concerned it is best to consult your physician who can speak further about the disease. However keep in mind that male breast cancer constitutes only 1% of the breast cancer cases diagnosed and not all physicians have experience with the disease. It is important to be aware of your body and any changes in its appearance such as:
-Lump formations on the breasts.
– Pain to your breast or nipple.
– Nipple inversion.
– Discharge from the nipples.
– Any change in either breast or nipple appearance.
If you notice anything abnormal it is important to discuss them with your doctor and openly discuss male breast cancer with him or her. Male breast cancer is often misdiagnosed and although it represents only 1% of breast cancer cases, if it is yourself or a loved one it is 100% for you and/or that person. If you feel your concerns are not being addressed then a second opinion may be an option. If your concerns are validated by your physician a biopsy may be done to check for cancer. The different types of biopsies are:
– Needle biopsy. This is a removal of part of lump, suspicious tissue or fluid using a thin needle
– Core biopsy. A part of the lump or suspicious tissue is removed using a wide needle.
– Excisional biopsy. The entire lump or suspicious tissue is removed.
Once one of these procedures had been performed the tissue or fluid is then viewed by a pathologist under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
Embarrassment shouldn’t be an excuse when it comes to safeguarding your health. Male breast cancer is an abnormal change in the body just like any other disease, and deserves further attention to promote awareness. It does not emasculate you to come forward if you have concerns or questions for your doctor nor does discussion of breast cancer in males take away from the harshness of the disease in regards to women.
This article is not meant to substitue medical care or advice. If in reading this article, concerns or questions should arise, please consult your medical professional and be forthright with your concerns.
