A lot of people are not aware that men can also develop breast cancer. In the U.S., for example, every year about 1,300 men develop carcinoma (cancer) of the mammary gland. Men who discover they have the disease are very often surprised, confused and they have the tendency to gain a sense of isolation. The average age of diagnosis is 65 years, but this disease can also develop in younger men.



It is true that the answer to the question “how frequent is male breast cancer?” would be very rare. For example, for every 100 women who develop breast cancer there is a man diagnosed with the same disease. Incidence is about 0.1-3.4 cases/100.000 men per year.



Thus, the fact that male breast cancer is a very rare thing explains the low level of public knowledge about this disease. As in the case of women who develop breast cancer, the exact causes of the disease are still very hard to determine. Men have breast glandular tissue that is under the influence of hormones. A possible cause could be estrogen excess, particularly during puberty. Men who have Klinefelter's syndrome present an increased risk of developing breast cancer as those who take estrogen or estrogen-like compounds.

Also brain tumors and a few other disorders have been implicated in some cases of breast cancer. Men working in steel mills, factories, mills or any other environment with a high degree of heat have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer (probably due to thermal suppression of androgen secretion). As with women, the chest area radiation increases risk of developing breast cancer.  Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that eventually there were identified genetic factors in some cases of breast cancer.

In a study there was identified a strong familial tendency, approximately 40% of breast cancer cases diagnosed in men over the past 40 years were identified in 21 families. Therefore, a family history of breast cancer is also considered a risk factor. The most common symptom of male breast cancer is the appearance of a mass in the breast. This consistency is usually firm and painless. Various studies have determined the average tumor size to be about 2.5 cm. Nipple fluid, serum and abnormal cytology should be investigated. In certain types of breast cancer, nipple irritation can also be a symptom. Keep in mind that a biopsy is necessary for the diagnosis.

There are a few differences regarding the signs and effects of breast cancer on women or men. Most of the breast tissue is concentrated in the posterior nipple and areola in case of a man. In most men this tissue is rudimentary. As men grow older, androgen levels are reduced, so that it may happen to observe a sudden increase in the volume of your breast. There are also hormonal influences that can affect differently men. The strongest association is with estrogen.



Another fact you should remember is that the risk of development of this cancer is higher in men who show a decrease of sensitivity to androgen. No matter if this serious disease affects men or women, it is still a reason for us to worry. Although most of you have never even considered donating or helping in any way the patients suffering from breast cancer, I will still advise you to read more and get more thoroughly informed so that one day you might be able to understand what they are going through.