There is the potential for cancerous cells to grow in the bit of breast tissue that men have directly behind the nipple. This tissue is non-functional (does not produce milk), and similar to women, this tissue can produce abnormal cell growth that can grow and spread into cancer.
Male breast cancer comprises only about 1 percent of all diagnosed cases of breast cancer, and although rare, this condition can be serious and requires appropriate and timely medical care. The American Cancer Society has released data predicting statistics for 2015 for male breast cancer. In this data, the American Cancer Society predicts that approximately 2,350 new diagnoses of breast cancer will be made for male patients. Of those diagnosed, about 440 cases will result in death.
Risk Factors for Male Breast Cancer
While the risk of breast cancer for men is about 100 times less than the risk for women, there is still a one in 1,000 chance that a man can develop this disease, according to the American Cancer Society.
The actual cause of male breast cancer is not yet understood, but it is believed that environmental and genetic influences may play a role. There are some risk factors that are believed to impact the likelihood that a man will be diagnosed with this rare cancer, and awareness is a key element of prevention and seeking timely medical care. Some of the risk factors to consider are described below.
- Klinefelter's syndrome: This is a fairly rare medical condition that affects approximately one in 1,000 men. Men affected by Klinefelter’s syndrome are known to have an extra X, or female, chromosome and produce unusually high levels of estrogen, a female hormone typically found in men in only very small amounts. Symptoms of Klinefelter’s syndrome include enlarged breasts, small testes, lack of ability to produce sperm, and sparse body or facial hair. Men with this syndrome are 50 times more at risk for male breast cancer than other men.
- Cirrhosis of the liver: This scarring of the liver can be caused by chronic viral hepatitis, genetic conditions or long-term alcohol abuse. Because the liver is responsible for the very important job of producing regulatory proteins that affect hormones in the bloodstream, when it is compromised, it can cause elevated female hormones in the male body and increase the risk of male breast cancer.
- Elevated estrogen levels: Men typically produce minimal amounts of the female hormone estrogen. However, when these levels rise for any reason, it may increase the chance that male breast cancer will develop. Certain medical conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver or Klinefelter’s syndrome are associated with increased breast size and elevated estrogen levels in men, which also may increase the risk of breast cancer. Obesity is also known to raise estrogen levels, as is the use of some medications over a prolonged period.
- Genetic predisposition: There are studies that have shown a link between men with male breast cancer and their female family members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. There is reason to believe that men who have family members with breast cancer may be at an increased risk of developing this type of cancer. In addition, men may inherit certain mutations in the BRCA-2 gene, which has been associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
- Exposure to radiation: If a man has already been treated for cancer in the chest area via radiation therapy, he may have been placed at an increased risk for breast cancer. Exposure to radiation has been linked to an elevated risk for this type of cancer.
- Medications, particularly Finasteride: Some drugs can cause an elevated risk of cancer in some patients. For example, Finasteride is a drug used to treat conditions including baldness, prostate enlargement and prostate cancer prevention. This link is not yet proven clinically, but there have been more than 50 cases of male breast cancer associated with the use of the drug Finasteride.
The risk of male breast cancer is very slim in most men. However, understanding whether you or someone you love may be at an increased risk for this disease may help you to monitor any changes in health or identify any symptoms that require medical attention.
Symptoms of Male Breast Cancer
Knowing whether you are at risk or a man in your life is at an increased risk for male breast cancer is step one in preventive action. Step two involves understanding what some symptoms of this condition might look like.
The following list of signs of male breast cancer is designed to alert you to any changes in health that may require a doctor’s visit for evaluation.
- A lump in the breast: Just like women, regular self-examination of the breasts can reveal any unusual and persistent changes in the makeup of the breast tissue, such as a telltale lump. Remember though -- not all lumps are cancerous. Be sure to consult your physician for any appropriate testing.
- Pain in the nipple: Any unusual and lasting pain in the nipple area should be taken seriously, and a doctor exam by may reveal the cause.
- Sores on the nipple: A doctor should examine any unusual and unexplained sores on the areola or nipple itself.
- Inverted nipples: If your nipples suddenly seem inverted, it may be a sign of breast cancer.
- Nipple discharge: This could be a clear discharge or may contain blood.
- Swollen lymph nodes under the arm: While this may seem unrelated, an enlarged lymph node could signal a serious condition, including male breast cancer.