While breast cancer is common and occurs mainly in women, men can get it too. Visit your doctor and get a FNAC Test done to find out. It is important to realise that men have breast tissue and they can develop breast cancer. Body cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancerous and can spread to other areas. Male breast cancer is however most common in older men, though it can occur at any age.

What causes breast cancer in men?

Experts do not yet know exactly why cancer develops in the breast, but a number of risk factors have been identified. Genetic, environmental and medical factors can all contribute to this.

• Genetic mutations increase the risk of breast cancer. Scientists have found links between breast cancer and a mutation in genes. There is often a family history of breast cancer in people with these changes. Studies show that around 20% of men with breast cancer have a close family member with the condition. However, genetic features are not the only reason leading to cancer.
• Environmental factors may increase the risk of breast cancer in men. For example, if a man has been exposed to radiation previously, to the chest area may have a higher risk of having breast cancer. Alcohol too has a link with male breast cancer. Other environmental factors that increase the risk of breast cancer in men include having a low level of physical activity, even people who are exposed to organic solvents or works with steel and rolling mills.
• Other health conditions may cause breast cancer in men, such as, males with Klinefelter syndrome, are 20-60 times at a higher risk of breast cancer. A man may have a higher risk if he has or has had liver diseases, an undescended testicle, mumps during adulthood, gynecomasty, or excessive development. General health conditions like diabetes, thyroid conditions, obesity can also play a role in this. These conditions and certain medical treatments that involve estrogen appear to increase the risk. Men who undergo surgery to remove either or both testicles are also at a higher risk.

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer in men

Symptoms of breast cancer in men are quite similar to those in women. Most male breast cancers are diagnosed when a man finds a lump on his chest which is usually painless. There may be warning signs like nipple retraction, ulceration and discharge, skin puckering or dimpling on the breast, redness or scaling of the skin on the breast or nipple. The more severe symptoms, like bleeding from the nipple can be noticed, swelling in the lymph glands, in or near the underarm area, breast pain and bone pain means that the cancer may have spread.fenben