Male Breast Cancer: Raising Awareness and Breaking Stigma
When we hear the term “breast cancer” we often think about women. However, breast cancer isn't just a woman's issue. While it's true that most cases are found in women, men can get it too. In fact, over 2,600 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. But because it's less common for them, many people don't even know it's possible. This lack of awareness can lead to late diagnoses and may take an emotional toll on them.
As caregivers, it is important for us to be aware of these conditions to help all of our clients regardless of their gender. In this blog, we will discuss male breast cancer and equip you with the knowledge that you will need about this condition.
Understanding Breast Cancer
Male breast cancer is a rare but serious condition where malignant (cancerous) cells form in the tissues of a man's breast. Just like women, men have breast tissue, and this tissue can develop cancerous growths. However, because men have significantly less breast tissue than women, there's a smaller area where breast cancer can develop. This also means that the potential for cancer to spread to nearby tissues or organs might be higher.
Male breast cancer makes up only less than 1% of all breast cancer cases.
Types of Male Breast Cancer
There are several types of breast cancer that happen in men. Here are the most common types of breast cancer in men:
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
This is the most common type of breast cancer in men, 90% of male breast cancer is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. IDC begins in the milk ducts and then invades the surrounding tissues in the breast. Once it spreads, it can affect the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
In DCIS, the cancer cells are found only in the lining of the ducts and haven't spread outside the ducts into the surrounding breast tissue.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
This type of cancer starts in the milk-producing glands (lobules). ILC is very rare in men because they have few lobules in their breast tissue.
Risk Factors for Male Breast Cancer
Genetics: Just like in women, the risk of breast cancer in men increases due to genetic mutations. The BRCA2 gene mutations are the most notable. Men who inherit this mutation are more likely to develop prostate and breast cancer.
Family History: You have a higher risk of breast cancer if you have close family members who have been diagnosed with the condition.
Age: Just like other types of cancers, the risk of developing male breast cancer increases with age. Most men are diagnosed with breast cancer between 60 and 70 years old.
Liver Disease: Conditions like cirrhosis can increase breast cancer risk in men, possibly due to the associated changes in hormone levels.
High Levels of Estrogen: Estrogen, a hormone that is more associated with women is also present in small amounts in men. There are certain conditions that increase the levels of estrogen levels such as obesity, and liver disease which result in a higher risk of breast cancer.
Radiation Exposure: Men who have been exposed to radiation, especially in the chest area, have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Male Breast Cancer
The first noticeable symptom of breast cancer is the physical changes happening in the chest area. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of male breast cancer.
Painless lump behind the nipple or armpits. This lump is firm but can be tender and painful in some cases.
Changes on the skin of your breast area including redness, flaking, or scaling.
Nipple changes include the nipple becoming inverted or turning inward.
Bloody or clear discharge from the nipple.
Swelling of the breast.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to get checked by your healthcare provider to have an early diagnosis.
Diagnostic Procedures for Male Breast Cancer
Once you are with your healthcare provider, they will ask you several questions such as your symptoms, family history, and many more. They will also perform different procedures to diagnose.
Here are some of the diagnostic procedures that are used to detect breast cancer:
Breast Examination
In a breast examination, the healthcare provider will perform several methods such as inspection, and palpation (feel) and take note of any abnormalities. The healthcare provider will check the nipples, breast area, lymph nodes, and underarm area. The characteristics of the skin, nipple discharge, texture and consistency, and presence of lumps will all be checked.
Mammography
Mammography is a specialized medical imaging technique used to capture detailed images of the breast tissue. It's one of the primary tools used in the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. Mammography uses a low-dose X-ray system to produce images of the breast. These images, called mammograms, can show tumors or irregularities that might be too small or deep to be felt during a physical examination.
Biopsy
This is the only definitive way to diagnose breast cancer. A sample of tissue from the breast area is removed and examined under a microscope. There are different types of biopsies, including fine-needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy, and surgical biopsy.
Treatment Options for Male Breast Cancer
Thanks to medical advancement, there are now many ways to treat cancer. It is important to discuss with your doctor to know what treatment plan is best for you. Here are some of the most common treatments used to treat breast cancer.
Surgery Options
There are two types of surgery that a person can go through to remove their breast cancer.
Mastectomy: This is the surgical removal of the entire breast. There are different types of mastectomy procedures, but the most common for men is a simple or total mastectomy. This involves removing the entire breast tissue, including the nipple and areola. In some cases, lymph nodes under the arm may also be removed to check for the spread of cancer.
Lumpectomy: Also known as breast-conserving surgery or partial mastectomy, this procedure involves removing only the tumor and a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue. Lumpectomy is less common in men than in women due to the smaller size of male breasts.
Radiation Therapy
This treatment uses high-energy rays or particles to kill cancer cells. After surgery, radiation therapy may be used to kill any remaining cancer cells in and around the breast area. It's especially recommended if cancer cells are found near the edges of the removed tissue or if a man undergoes lumpectomy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. It can be given before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) to shrink a tumor or after surgery (adjuvant therapy) to kill any remaining cancer cells. Chemotherapy might also be used if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy works by lowering the levels of estrogen and blocking its effect. This treatment will be used if your cancer cells use estrogen to grow. Tamoxifen, a drug that blocks estrogen from binding on cancer cells is one of the common medications used for this treatment option.
Final Thoughts
As we celebrate this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let us work together to shed light on male breast cancer and promote awareness to remove the stigma regarding this condition. By doing so, we are promoting a more inclusive environment that allows men to seek early treatment without the fear of being discriminated against. Remember, cancer doesn't discriminate by gender, and neither should our approach to education and support.
Share this blog with your friends and family to inform them about male breast cancer.
