Men are not as likely to develop breast cancer as women. But in many cases, by the time they go to see the doctor and receive a definitive diagnosis of breast cancer, their cancer is often very advanced.

This is because many men do not realize that they can develop breast cancer just like women. In fact, 1 in every 1000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life. This is not nearly as high as the 1 in 8 women, of course, but still represents thousands of new cases each year and hundreds of deaths that could potentially be prevented through awareness and self-examination.

As with all cancers, prevention is the best strategy, followed by early detection if it can’t be prevented. Those who are at most risk should check themselves and be tested regularly. The risk is higher in a family where at least one woman has had breast cancer.

Breast cancer might also have a genetic component in men as well as women. The BRCA mutation leaves any person more prone to breast cancer, and in men, prostate cancer as well. Prostate cancer is the number two cancer that kills men, after lung cancer, with more than 27,000 deaths per year. Continue reading →

Breast cancer in men is rare, but it does happen. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in every 1,000 men will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, compared to 1 in 8 women. Having said that, it does still occur.

When diagnosed, the cancer will be staged; that is, assessed to see how far it has progressed. Depending on the stage, you and your doctor can discuss what treatment options are available.

Some of the treatments will be the same as those for women. However, some which are effective on breast cancer in women are not effective in men.

Types of Breast Cancer

The main treatments for breast cancer are similar to those of women who have the same type of breast cancer. In men, the most common cancer is found in the milk ducts of the male breast. It is termed ductal carcinoma.

Only around 2% of men get lobular carcinoma, that is, cancer of the glands or lobes which produce milk. This is because men have far fewer lobes than women. Continue reading →