While it is true that breast cancer is mainly associated with women, statistics show that one in every 1000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. Breast cancer can happen in men at any age, although it is most commonly diagnosed in men in their sixties and seventies.
The Structure of the Breast
Most men don’t realize what they have breast tissue similar to that of women. Their breasts are just not as developed and there are far fewer milk producing glands, known as lobes.
The breast in both men and women is made up of lobes, ducts, a nipple per breast, and fat cells. The ducts are the passageways for the milk to flow from the lobes to the nipple and out of the body in order for mammals to nourish offspring. The most common form of breast cancer in men affects the ducts and is known as ductal carcinoma.
Risk Factors for Male Breast Cancer
As with most forms of breast cancer, there is a familial and genetic component. A man who comes from a family in which one or more women have had breast cancer is more likely to develop breast cancer himself.
He might also carry the BRCA genetic mutation, which would leave him more susceptible to getting breast cancer. BRCA normally protects against cell mutation and multiplication that can lead to tumors, so a mutated BRCA gene means less protection and more chance of developing cancer.
Modifiable Risk Factors
Remember, just because you have a family history or genetic component does not mean that you will definitely develop male breast cancer. However, it is important to be aware of your heightened risk and do what you can to lower your risk through modifiable lifestyle factors.
One of the most important things you can do if you suspect you are susceptible to male breast cancer is to lose weight, exercise, and eat a healthy balanced diet. Studies have shown that many cancers are linked to obesity. They also show that people who get more exercise tend to have more favorable health outcomes, even if they have already had cancer.
A good diet rich in heart-healthy foods and fats such as olive oil will protect against both heart disease, the number one killer of both men and women in the US, and against many forms of cancer.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormone imbalances can also cause breast cancer in men. These imbalances can result from various medical conditions, and the fact that testosterone declines in men as they age. Male hormones, referred to as androgens, decrease for a range of reasons, meaning estrogens increase. High levels of estrogen have been associated with breast cancer in men. The BRCA mutation has also been connected with a greater risk of prostate cancer.
The prostate is a gland at the base of the bladder which produces seminal fluid. When mixed with sperm from the testicles, it forms semen, which is designed to fertilize an egg to produce offspring.
Prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate can both affect androgen levels, leaving men at greater risk for male breast cancer. So too can any testicular problems, such as infection or loss of a testicle through injury or cancer.
If you have any of these family or health-related risk factors, is important to carry out regular breast self-examinations to feel for lumps, and to keep in touch with your doctor for regular exams and mammograms. If you have the BRCA mutation, remind both your sons and daughters the importance of checking themselves regularly for any signs of breast cancer.
