Yes, men can get breast cancer

Julian Kim, MD

General Surgery

Men may not think they’re at risk for breast cancer, but 1% of all breast cancer cases actually occur in men. Because it’s so rare, most men don’t even have it on their radar, so they miss the warning signs and are diagnosed later.

Surgeon Julian Kim, MD, explained what men need to know about breast cancer, including what to look for and who is at risk.

Why are men at risk for breast cancer?

“Breast cancer can occur in any man, woman or animal that has breast tissue,” Dr. Kim said. “If you have a nipple, you likely have breast tissue right behind that nipple and that’s the most common area where breast cancer could form.”

But because this type of cancer in men is so rare, they tend to not pay as much attention to their breast tissue.

“Even if they have a lump, if it’s not painful, they just assume it’s normal,” Dr. Kim said, “but it definitely should be checked out and should not be ignored.”

What puts a man at risk for breast cancer?

In women, at least 5% of cases are hereditary. In men, there’s also a higher risk of breast cancer if people in their family have had the disease.

“That’s probably the number one thing men should realize,” Dr. Kim said. “If your mother, and particularly if your father, had breast cancer, that puts you at higher risk of developing breast cancer and you should be seeing a physician for a physical examination. Sometimes, if there are a lot of cases of breast cancer in the family, the men will undergo genetic testing to look for a BRCA gene mutation.”

Other risk factors, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include the following:

• Age – most breast cancers are found after age 50.
• Radiation therapy to the chest.
• Hormone therapy treatment.
• Other medical conditions, including Klinefleter syndrome, certain conditions that affect the testicles and liver disease.
• Overweight and obesity.

What are the warning signs of breast cancer in men?

Typically, it’s found when the man feels a lump or a growth. Sometimes the nipple can change. It can become inverted, or pulled in, or there can be redness of the skin on the breast.

If you find a lump or a mass that’s unusual and sort of persistent, reach out to your primary care doctor. The doctor might order a mammogram or ultrasound to confirm whether it is cancer.

“It’s much more common for men to have enlargement of their breasts, called gynecomastia, and not cancer,” Dr. Kim said. “However, that’s not something you can always tell just by feeling, so the physician will order imaging. If the imaging looks abnormal, they’ll undergo a core needle biopsy, similar to a woman who has an abnormal mammogram.”

If breast cancer is found, treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy.

Is it normal for men to be embarrassed by a breast cancer diagnosis?

“I don’t think breast cancer is a disease men think about, or like to think about,” Dr. Kim said. “They definitely don’t want to have it.”

Even men who are aware of breast cancer and have a family history of it, maybe even the BRCA gene, have a hard time facing it. That’s why education about male breast cancer and support for patients with the disease is so important.

What is the biggest takeaway when it comes to male breast cancer?

“Breast cancer in men is not very common and not something most men should worry about. However, if there are obvious signs that your breast is changing, and you don’t have a good explanation for it, please see a physician,” Dr. Kim said. “Sometimes the breasts will change with weight gain or with different medications. But other times, breast cancer can evolve, so pay attention to your body. Examine yourself periodically. If you notice a problem and it’s persistent, consult a physician.”