This may come as a surprise to you, but it is true. Men can be affected and, although in rare cases, it is possible to result in death as well.

Men do not often get breast cancer because they have fewer breast cells and even the ones they have are not encouraged to grow by exposing them to female hormones. However, even the few cells that are there can become cancerous.

What are different types of breast cancer in males?

Adenocarcinoma

Most of the breast cancers develop in the breast ducts or lobules but because men usually do not have milk-producing glands or lobules, ductal carcinomas are more common. IDC or Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is the most common among men and it involves starting in the breast ducts and then proceeding to the breast’s fatty tissue. The other type, Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), is where the cancer fills the ducts but does not proceed to the fatty tissue. This is less common accounting for only about 10% of male breast cancers.

Paget’s disease of the nipple

This starts in the ducts but spreads to the nipples making them crusted, scaly and red. However, this is more common in women than in men.

What are the common causes of this cancer?

It is as yet unknown what causes this cancer in men, however some of them may be aging, have a family history of cancer, physical inactivity or obesity. Obese men have more female hormones because fat cells convert male hormones into female hormones and therefore they become more susceptible.

Heavy drinkers are also known to develop this disease. Other causes include liver disease, radiation exposure and Klinefelter’s syndrome. Men suffering from prostrate cancer sometimes are prescribed estrogen, which may put them at a higher risk.

What symptoms should I look for?

Symptoms like a lump in the breast, swelling, skin dimpling or puckering, redness or scaling of the nipple, nipple discharge and nipple retraction are common to this disease. If you do discover a lump, do not panic because it might be because of gynecomastia, which is non-cancerous.

How is male breast cancer diagnosed?

Male breast cancer can be diagnosed in several ways, like first a complete medical history is required. Then you will be required to undergo a clinical breast exam, which will allow your doctor to examine your condition better.

Further tests, like the diagnostic mammography, breast ultrasound, nipple discharge examination and finally biopsy, are employed to determine your condition beyond doubt.

Can it be treated?

Here is a breather for you. It is treatable. Doctors treat it by carrying out surgery to remove the infected part. Chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiation therapy are also used to treat male breast cancer.

Now if you do notice something unusual in your breast, do not ignore it. Go to your doctor and get yourself checked.