Breast Cancer in Men

 

When we think about breast cancer, we often think about women. However, there are about 2% of the cases that are diagnosed with males. Sadly, since males usually aren't screened for this type of health concern, the cancer can spread significantly before it is identified. Most men that get breast cancer have a genetic link for it through the female side of their families.

It is very unusual for any male under the age of 35 to develop breast cancer. The risk does increase as a male gets older. However, there have been cases that involve males that are younger than this. Males need to make sure they take the time to do some breast checks to identify any lumps. Women are taught to do this on a monthly basis, and men should be doing it as well.

By doing self breast exams, males will be able to identify what could be a tumor in that area. Any such abnormalities should be immediately reported to a doctor. Many males are embarrassed to tell their doctor about such tumors or any types of pain that they may have around the breast area. If a male experiences tenderness in this region they should be concerned about it.

Some males also experience yellowish pus that comes out of the ducts around the nipples. It may come out when they have the hot water on in the shower. It can also occur when a man wears a shirt tight around the breast area. Any time a man feels different around the breast area it is a good idea to make sure that there isn't anything going on. There are plenty of tests that can be done that can identify breast cancer early on.

One of the goals of the American Cancer Society is to further education males and medical staff about the risks of breast cancer in men. Early detection can help to improve the odds of successfully fighting it. The same types of treatment for women are used for males with breast cancer. These methods include radiation, chemotherapy, medications, and surgery.