BREAST CANCER IN MEN

By Daily News Reporter

Just like women, men have also breast tissue that can develop cancer. Most breast cancer in men is ductal carcinoma, which means the cancer cells began growing in the (milk) ducts of the breast, but can also begin in the glands (lobular cancer), even though these breast parts are not functional in men. Although it is rare, men can get breast cancer.

Breast cancer is most often found in women, but men can get breast cancer too.

The most common kinds of breast cancer in men are—

Invasive ductal carcinoma. The cancer cells begin in the ducts and then grow outside the ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive cancer cells can also spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a breast disease that may lead to invasive breast cancer. The cancer cells are only in the lining of the ducts, and have not spread to other tissues in the breast.

What Are the Symptoms?

The most common symptoms of breast cancer in men are—

A lump or swelling in the breast.

Redness or flaky skin in the breast.

Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.

Nipple discharge.

Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.

These symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not cancer. If you have any symptoms or changes, see your doctor right away.

What Are the Risk Factors?

Several factors can increase a man’s chance of getting breast cancer.

Getting older. The risk for breast cancer increases with age. Most breast cancers are found after age 50.

Genetic mutations. Inherited changes (mutations) in certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, increase breast cancer risk.

Family history of breast cancer. A man’s risk for breast cancer is higher if a close family member has had breast cancer.

Radiation therapy treatment. Men who had radiation therapy to the chest have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.

Hormone therapy treatment. Drugs containing estrogen (a hormone that helps develop and maintain female sex characteristics), which were used to treat prostate cancer in the past, increase men’s breast cancer risk.

Klinefelter syndrome. Klinefelter syndrome is a rare genetic condition in which a male has an extra X chromosome. This can lead to the body making higher levels of estrogen and lower levels of androgens (hormones that help develop and maintain male sex characteristics).

Certain conditions that affect the testicles can increase breast cancer risk.

Liver disease. Cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver can lower androgen levels and raise estrogen levels in men, increasing the risk of breast cancer.

Overweight and obesity. Older men who are overweight or have obesity have a higher risk of getting breast cancer than men at a normal weight.

What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk?

If several members of your family have had breast or ovarian cancer, or one of your family members has a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, share this information with your doctor. Your doctor may refer you for genetic counseling. In men, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can increase the risk of breast cancer, high-grade prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

If genetic testing shows that you have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, your doctor will explain what you should do to find cancer early, if you get it.

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOUR: Robert

 “Fortunately, because the cancer was found early enough, the surgery was successful. But I never would have found it early if I hadn’t been screened,” says Robert.

“If I hadn’t been screened I wouldn’t have been able to see my son go off to college.” Robert

I’m a father of two, husband, and a farmer. I’ve had a full life. I watched my daughter graduate from college and graduate school, and my son graduate from high school. Now that both of our kids have left the house, my wife and I are beginning the next chapter of our life together. 

In 2016, I noticed I seemed to be getting more tired, from farming I thought. I decided to see my doctor for a checkup. I spoke with him about having a colonoscopy, even though I didn’t have any symptoms, aside from feeling tired. I wanted to get screened because it had been 7 years since my last colonoscopy. Also, my father had colon cancer when he was only 45 years old that he survived. Today, my father is 75 years old and in relatively good health.

I went in for my colonoscopy on January 10, 2022. Although no polyps were present during this screening (or during any screening I had prior), the doctor took tissue samples for a biopsy. A week later, the results came back and showed that I did in fact have colon cancer. On February 2, 2022, I underwent surgery to get rid of the cancer. 

Fortunately, because the cancer was found early enough, the surgery was successful. But I never would have found it early if I hadn’t been screened.

Now, I’m encouraging my wife to get a colonoscopy. People tell me that they are scared to get screened and scared to see what the screening might reveal. But I think it’s scarier if you have a tumor that the doctor can’t remove. I have a few brothers, and all of them have been screened. One of my brothers routinely has polyps that are removed.

If I hadn’t been screened I wouldn’t have been able to see my son go off to college, or enjoy this next chapter of my life with my wife and family. Today, I have a positive outlook on the life ahead of me. I also started exercising again and changing my diet. I’ve been getting back to the old me. Getting screened made me want to go enjoy every day.