Male Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the first leading cause of cancer-related death in women. However, men are also at risk for breast cancer as well. Although minimal in quantity as compared to women. The statistics show that new cases among male breast cancer were estimated at only 0.5 -1% per 100 female breast cancer cases.
As male breast cancer is rare, they maintain additional difficulties for researchers to amass the numbers they need to begin to understand management studies. Therefore, remaining minimal awareness about this disease. For that reason, The majority of people are unaware of male breast cancer and cause most men to avoid participating in screening breast tissue. Accordingly, those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are commonly expressed at a severe stage which regularly associated with more challenging to treat and higher mortality rate
Although there is no clear evidence on the causes of breast cancer in males. But the factors that increase a men’s risk of developing breast cancer, as well as symptoms, treatment, and prevention are shown below:
Who are at risk for breast cancer?
- Family history of breast cancer.
- Older age, most cases are found in the age of 60 years and above.
- Maintaining excessive levels of estrogen production caused by congenital DNA abnormalities such as Klinefelter’s syndrome.
- Cirrhosis, the deterioration of liver resulting in the inability to metabolize and inactivate estrogen.
- Obesity, BMI ≥ 30.
- History of chest radiotherapy or radiation exposure.
- Small in size of the testicles and infertility due to the inability of sperm production.
Signs and symptoms of male breast cancer
- A painless lump in breast tissue.
- Redness of the skin covering your breast.
- Discharge from nipple.
- Scaling of the nipple or breast skin.
- Nipple begins to turn inward (nipple retraction).
Advanced symptoms of male breast cancer
- Bone pain.
- Swelling in the lymph glands, in or near the underarm area.
- Shortness of breath.
- Quickly tired.
- Nausea.
- Jaundice.
Risk reduction strategies in male breast cancer prevention
Male breast cancer cannot be prevented due to the cause of the disease remains unclear.
However, the risk reduction strategies are as follows:
- Regularly screening for breast tissue, the detection of an earlier state of the disease increases the possibilities of cure.
- People at risk should undergo a Chest radiography once a year.
- Alcohol avoidance or limited consumption.
- Avoidance of smoking.
- Weight standardization.
- Exercise regularly.
Treatment for male breast cancer
Male breast cancer treatment is similar to female breast cancer treatment. The method of treatment depends on the stage of cancer. Physician will consider the most suitable treatment options
- Mastectomy, surgery to remove breast tissue from a breast.
- Radiation therapy.
- Chemotherapy therapy.
- Hormone therapy.
