Although male breast cancer is uncommon, it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Being aware of the signs can aid in prompt diagnosis and treatment. Fewer than one percent of all cases of cancer are diagnosed in men as breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, a man has a 1 in 833Trusted Source lifetime risk of developing breast cancer (ACS). If detected in its earliest stages, male breast cancer has an excellent prognosis. Early diagnosis, however, is not always achievable.
Negligent awareness is a contributor to diagnostic lag. Many women are aware of the signs to watch for when it comes to breast cancer, but men may be less likely to seek help if they notice any changes.
Because males typically have less breast tissue than females, they may uniquely experience breast cancer. The trade-off is that there is less room for cancer to spread within the breast, which can make it easier to detect small lumps. This may cause it to spread to nearby tissues more rapidly. As a result of these and other factors, the majority of men diagnosed with breast cancer are given a prognosis after the disease has spread to other parts of the body, at stage 3 or 4. Men have a lower chance of surviving serious illnesses than women do.
Here, you’ll find information on spotting the signs of male breast cancer and what to do if you notice any changes.
Symptoms
Among the possible symptoms of male breast cancer are:
• a lump in one breast that is typically painless
• retraction of the nipple, ulceration, and discharge
•:breast skin puckering or dimpling
• skin discoloration or scaling on the breast or nipple
Additional symptoms of cancer spread may include:
• lymph node swelling in or near the underarm area
• breast discomfort
• bone ache
Rates of survival and other data
Males have a lower overall survival rate from breast cancer than females, according to a reliable source.
The average male’s chance of living for five years or more after a cancer diagnosis, as reported by the ACS:
When detected at an early stage, breast cancer has a 97% chance of being successfully treated.
When it spreads beyond the breast, the mortality rate is 83%.
When metastasized, the survival rate drops to 22%.
Because of this, it’s crucial to get checked out as soon as any changes in the breast are noticed. Breast cancer treatments are highly effective in the early stages.
The above statistics likely understate the likelihood of survival for at least 5 years after diagnosis for people currently receiving a diagnosis due to advances in diagnostic methods and treatment options.
Examinations and analysis
A visit to the doctor is warranted if any alterations to the breast are observed.
The medical professional will inquire about current symptoms and past medical history, including the patient’s and their family’s exposure to estrogen and radiation. In addition, they will perform a thorough physical checkup.
Other diagnostic procedures they might propose are as follows.
• a mammogram
• The use of Sonography
• a nipple discharge evaluation
• The Biopsy
In some cases, your doctor may suggest performing a biopsy at the same time as lump removal. ItA surgeon mainly a small piece of the affected area and test it. As an alternative, they might remove the entire thing, along with some of the healthy breast tissue that was around it.
Treatment
If the test results show that cancer is present, there are several treatment options. The option will be determined by the size of the tumor and whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas. Treatment will also be determined by histological findings, such as whether the cancer is hormone-positive or overexpressed in certain proteins.
When developing a treatment plan, a doctor will frequently consider a patient’s treatment preferences.
Chemotherapy
A doctor may recommend chemotherapy in some cases. This is a drug treatment that kills cancer cells. Chemotherapy is typically administered via injection, but patients can also take the drugs orally.
If used after surgery, chemotherapy can help prevent cancer from returning. It can also be used to treat the symptoms of advanced cancer that have spread to other areas of the body. It can also shrink cancer and make surgery less invasive when given before surgery.
Some possible side effects include:
• baldness
• mouth ulcers
• vomiting and nausea
• alterations in appetite
• an increased risk of infection
• exhaustion
• bruising or bleeding easily
• tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes
• heart muscle deterioration
• changes in the skin and nails
• indigestion or diarrhea
The list of side effects above is not exhaustive, and not everyone will experience all of them. Most chemotherapy side effects will go away within a few days to weeks of finishing the treatment.
Personalized medicine
A person’s risk of cancer can be affected by a variety of genetic features and changes. Scientists are developing drugs that can target the specific changes that result from different genetic mutations and cancer as they learn more about the link.
Targeted therapy is a relatively new type of cancer treatment that targets proteins involved in cancer development when certain genetic changes occur. It differs from chemotherapy in that it does not cover the entire body. Chemotherapy is nonspecific, which means it affects both healthy and cancerous cells. This is why it has adverse effects. Targeted therapy, on the other hand, attacks a specific mutation or target within cancerous cells while causing no harm to the majority of healthy cells.
For example, on the surface of cancer cells in some males with breast cancer, there is an excess of a protein known as HER2. Breast cancers that are HER2-positive are more aggressive than other types.
Trastuzumab (Herceptin), for example, appears to slow cancer progression by targeting HER2. Protein changes are caused by mutations in BRCA genes and other genes, and targeted therapy may help in these cases as well. Scientists have discovered additional genes that influence the progression of breast cancer, and they are working to develop drugs that may improve the outlook for people who have these specific mutations.
Causes
Experts do not know why breast cancer develops, but they have identified several potential risk factors.
A high level of the female hormone estrogen about one of the male hormone groups, androgen, appears to be a common factor in males. Genetic, environmental, and medical factors can all play a role.
Factors of genetic origin
Breast cancer risk may be increased by genetic mutations. Breast cancer and a mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have been linked by researchers. Males with Klinefelter syndrome are also at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Males with an extra X chromosome are born with Klinefelter syndrome.
Furthermore, people with these changes frequently have a family history of breast cancer. Around 20% of males with breast cancer have a close family member who has the disease. However, as with many other diseases, genetic factors alone may not cause cancer. Environmental factors may also be required.
Prevention
Early detection can aid in the prevention of cancer spread.
If there is a family history of male breast cancer, a person should check their breasts regularly and contact a doctor as soon as possible if any changes occur. The individual may also want to talk to their doctor about genetic testing.
A healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol consumption may aid in the prevention of male breast cancer.
Outlook
If a male is diagnosed with breast cancer in its early stages, he has a good chance of receiving effective treatment.
However, because the condition is rare and can resemble other non-cancerous conditions, it can be difficult to obtain an early diagnosis. As a result, diagnosis may occur at a later stage. Knowing the signs and symptoms of male breast cancer increases the likelihood of receiving early treatment.
