Men can also have breast cancer, which is believed by some as a condition only for women. Male breast cancer develops in men’s breast tissue. Men of any age may have this ailment but it is more common in older men. As indicated by Cancer Facts and Figures 2013 by the American Cancer Society, an estimated 2,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected in men in the U.S. this year 2013. About 410 deaths related to breast cancer are predicted to men. Deaths may be prevented or delayed with earlier diagnosis and better treatment. This is why it is important that they should be knowledgeable about signs and symptoms for male breast cancer.
Breast lump or mass is a thing that men themselves can notice. It is the most typical symptom of breast cancer in men. More often, it appears under this part of the body where the tissue is concentrated. It is usually painless. Similarly, males are more likely to go through nipple discharge than females. This sometimes comes with blood. Nipple retraction is also apparent, as well as skin ulceration and scaling or redness of the breast or nipple skin.
Additional signs and symptoms for male breast cancer develop once the tumor has spread to other body parts like liver, bones and lungs. This is recognized as metastatic breast cancer. Symptoms for this particular type of breast cancer are problem in breathing, feeling sick, feeling fatigue constantly, skin itch and bone pain.
Men must consider visiting their doctors soon as they notice breast lump or problems in the nipples, such as the ones mentioned above. This is to confirm the presence of cancer, go through treatment and avoid spread.
Breast cancer in men is diagnosed the same as women. They may go through ultrasound, which is a pain-free scan by means of sound waves. They may also undertake breast x-ray or mammogram. In case the oncologist notices an area that is possible indication for cancer, he will get a sample of the breast tissue and test it using microscope. If the evaluation suggests that the patient is positive for breast cancer, the doctor will do other tests to find out if it has not spread.
Men are offered the same breast cancer treatment options as women. Some examples are chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Their reaction to hormone treatments, however, is better than women. Almost 80 percent of breast cancers in men have hormone receptors. This implies that they have distinct areas on the cancer cells where specific hormones, such as estrogen, can perform. Likewise, 71 percent of male breast cancers are found to be BCRA positive. Because of this, hormonal treatment may work to be effective for men.
Signs and symptoms for male breast cancer shouldn’t be ignored as they offer people more reasons to undergo early detection. The same attention should also be given if they are at higher risk of this condition. Common risk factors for male breast cancer are family history, age, high levels of estrogen, excess weight, radiation exposure and more.