Breast Cancer is a disease that is not limited to the female sex. Men have breast tissue that can be susceptible to the growth of cancer cells. Any man can develop breast cancer, but it is more common in men between the ages of sixty and seventy.
Breast cancer in men can be treated successfully if it is detected early. The symptoms of male breast cancer are very similar to the symptoms of female breast cancer. It is important that men pay attention to their breast tissue so they will be able to detect any changes.
The most common symptom of breast cancer in men is a lump or thickening in the breast tissue. Most of the time, the breast lump is painless. Another symptom of male breast cancer is a dimpling or puckering appearance to the skin.
Men should also be on the lookout for a new retraction of the nipple. Redness or scaling of the skin around the nipple or the breast should be reported to the doctor. If a man starts to notice discharge from the nipple, he needs to see his doctor right away.
The cause of breast cancer in men is not known in most cases. Doctors have discovered that one in six cases of breast cancer in men is inherited. Most causes of breast cancer in men are from exposure to radiation or other cancer causing agents during the man’s lifetime.
There are certain risk factors that a man can control to help prevent breast cancer. These risk factors include smoking, excessive drinking and obesity. If a man has a family history of cancer, especially breast cancer, he should be careful to avoid these cancer risk factors.
It is important that a man seek medical advice right away if he notices any changes in his breast tissue. The doctor can do a series of tests to determine if the lump or changes in the breast tissue is indeed cancer.
The doctor will do a clinical breast exam which simply involves feeling the breast tissue to detect lumps. A mammogram may be beneficial if the doctor finds something suspicious. Other tests for male breast cancer may include a breast ultrasound, nipple discharge examination, a biopsy of the breast lump or the doctor may order a series of blood tests.
Treatment for male breast cancer can include a mastectomy in which the male breast tissue that is affected will be removed. A mastectomy can also include removing the surrounding lymph nodes to prevent the spread of cancer cells throughout the body. A doctor may order radiation therapy to shrink the breast tumor before removing it. He may also order chemotherapy, in addition to the mastectomy, if he suspects the cancer has spread.
Men must remember that breast cancer is not just a women’s disease and develop a routine of examining their chest. A man needs to take care of himself by maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking and avoiding excessive alcohol use. If a man notices any changes in his breast tissue, it is critical that he seek immediate medical evaluation. With early intervention, breast cancer in a man can be cured.
Resources:
Susan G Komen: Do Men Get Breast Cancer
http://ww5.komen.org/uploadedfiles/content_binaries/806-320a.pdf
National Cancer Insitute: General Information about Male Breast Cancer
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/malebreast/Patient/page1
MedLine Plus: Male Breast Cancer
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/malebreastcancer.html
MayoClnic: Male Breast Cancer
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/male-breast-cancer/DS00661
American Cancer Society: What is Breast Cancer in Men
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