Understanding Male Breast Cancer: Risks, Symptoms, and Detection

Breast cancer can affect anyone with breast tissue, including men. Despite being less common, male breast cancer does occur and often goes unnoticed. It tends to affect older men, but can develop at any age. Early diagnosis significantly improves treatment success, yet many overlook symptoms due to lack of awareness. Projections indicated around 2,470 cases might be diagnosed in men by 2017. The risk is approximately one in a thousand among American men. Recognizing warning signs early is crucial for effective treatment.

In men, breast size is smaller, making tumors easier to detect. However, symptoms can be mistaken for regular chest stiffness. It predominantly impacts men over 35, though cases can appear earlier. Risk factors include family history, estrogen use, chest radiation, severe liver disease, and testicular conditions.

Contrary to earlier beliefs, male breast cancer has similar seriousness to female cases. The difficulty in recognizing symptoms due to indistinct lumps often leads to late diagnosis, reducing treatment options. Diagnostic procedures include mammograms, ultrasounds, MRI scans, nipple discharge tests, and biopsies such as fine needle aspiration, core needle, or surgical biopsy. Lymph node analysis is also essential to determine the spread of the disease.