When most people think of breast cancer they think of how the disease affects women. However, many are unaware of the fact that men can also be diagnosed with the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, for every 100 women who develop breast cancer, one male is diagnosed.
The most common type of breast cancer in men is infiltrating ductal cancer, or enlargement of the ducts in the breast. This accounts for 73 percent of the cancer in men. The ducts in the breast of pre-adolescent girls develop in response to hormones secreted during puberty. The male breast is also capable of responding to hormonal stimulation.
When most people think of the disease, they never really expect males to have breast cancer after all, men don't really have breasts.
Breast cancer is similar in both sexes A lymph node (lump) involvement and a sign of local spread is similar to those found in female breast cancer and the staging system for male breast cancer is identical to the staging system for female breast cancer. Like breast cancer for women, treatment options for men depends on how severe the patient's disease is. Men of all ages can be affected by breast cancer.
The majority of males affected with the disease are African American. According to the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER) , breast cancer affects 14 black men in every million, while eight white men in every million are affected.
The majority of males affected by breast cancer have a history of testicular infection or testicular injury. However, it is difficult for researchers to gather extensive data because the disease is so uncommon in men.
Like women, men's medical history has to be checked. Whether a male is affected depends on his medical history. So should men get a mammography?
Most doctors will do a biopsy because most men don't have enough breast to do a mammography. Everyone should check themselves for any abnormal signs in their body. Like women, men should be aware of any changes that occur in their bodies and get routine physical examinations to help detect breast cancer.
Symptoms
- breast lumps
- nipple inversion
- nipple discharge
- pain or pulling sensation in the breast
