How Can You Tell if a Guy Has Breast Cancer?

Male breast cancer is a rare condition, accounting for only 1 percent of all breast cancers.

The reason for the male to have breast cancer is that even males have rudimentary breast tissues from embryonic development. The difference between a male breast and a female breast is in the amount of tissue.

Before hitting puberty, the breast tissue is similar in boys and girls. It comprises fat, potential milk-producing glands called lobules, and ducts that transport milk to the nipples.

Once puberty hits a girl, their ovaries start to produce female hormones (estrogen) that cause the breasts to grow. Boys produce male hormones (testosterone) that suppress the growth of breast tissue.

Most breast cancer cases are identified between the ages of 60 and 70 years.

The different types of cancer found in men include:

• Ductal carcinoma: This is cancer that originates in the milk duct. It is the most common type of male breast cancer.
• Lobular carcinoma: This is cancer that originates in the milk-producing gland. It is the rarest type of cancer found in men because they have a few lobules in their breast tissue.
• Inflammatory breast cancer: It is a type of breast cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm.
• Paget disease of the nipple: A tumor that has grown from ducts beneath the nipple onto the surface of the nipple.

Men with the following risk factors are more likely to get breast cancer:

• A strong family history of breast cancer or genetic mutations
• Previous radiation exposure of the chest
• Gynecomastia due to drug, hormone treatments, infections, or poisons
• Cirrhosis or other severe liver diseases
• Obesity
• A rare genetic condition called Klinefelter syndrome
• High estrogen levels
• Age between 60 and 70 years