Male breast cancer

Can men get breast cancer? Although males have much less breast tissue than females, they can still develop breast cancer. When they get breast cancer, a lot of the details about their disease are similar to breast cancer in females. Most breast cancers in males start in the same places, have similar symptoms and have similar survival rates as the survival rates from female breast cancers that are similar sizes and stages. There are some important differences, too.

The differences in breast cancers in males

One of the things that makes breast cancer different for men is the differences in structure between men and women. Like women, men have nipples and milk ducts (tubes that deliver milk to the nipple). But unlike women, they have few, if any, milk lobules (glands that produce milk). As a result, they’re much less likely to develop cancer that starts in the lobules.

Unfortunately, breast cancer in men is more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage when it’s harder to treat. Women’s cancers are discovered earlier primarily because they have regular screening mammograms.

Since breast cancer in males is so rare, most men don’t learn about watching for potential symptoms like lumps, pain or swelling. Even if they do notice such symptoms, they may feel embarrassed about them and delay getting them checked out with their primary care provider. It’s vital to report any changes or pain to your doctor as soon as possible.

Differences in men’s breast cancer symptoms

Most breast cancers in men are found near the nipple. The most likely first symptom is a hard lump that may feel like a pebble. Other common symptoms are the same as some symptoms in women.

• Swelling in the breast
• Redness or flaky skin on the breast
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
• Nipple discharge
• Nipple that retracts (pulls inward toward the breast)
• Pain near the nipple

Differences in risk factors

Risk factors for men are slightly different those for women. They include:

• Being older than 50
• Genetic mutations
• Family history of breast cancer (especially breast cancer in male family members)
• History of radiation therapy to the chest
• Previous hormone therapy treatment (meds that contain estrogen)
• Klinefelter syndrome (a rare genetic condition in which a male has an extra X chromosome)
• Conditions of testicles: injury, swelling or surgery to remove the testicles
• Liver disease
• Overweight and obesity

Differences in treatment

Many details about treatment for breast cancer are similar for women and men. The mainstays of surgery, chemo, radiation therapy and hormone therapy are used. Different kinds of surgery may be recommended and nearby lymph nodes may also be tested to see if cancer has spread to them.

One of the differences is the availability of clinical trials for breast cancer that focus on men. There are far fewer men diagnosed with breast cancer than women. It’s hard to get a big enough group to study to provide meaningful results. Your participation in research about breast cancer in men could give you access to the latest treatments and help add to the understanding of this disease.

Similarities in male breast cancer

The most common types of breast cancer in men are the same as those in women. Breast cancer in males is most likely to start in the milk ducts.

• Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): The cancer cells start to grow in the milk ducts and then grow into other parts of the breast tissue. About eight out of ten breast cancers in men are IDCs.
• Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC): Cancer cells start to grow in the lobules and then grow into other parts of the breast tissue.
• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): Cancer cells start in milk ducts and have stayed in the ducts without spreading to other parts of the breast tissue. These cancers can become invasive over time.

If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer you may also be advised to get genetic testing to find out if your cancer is related to any genes. This could make a difference in your treatment recommendations.

Contact our nurse navigators to learn more.

Breast cancer in nonbinary people

Statistics about breast cancer in nonbinary people are not widely available. Most of what you may learn is found in case studies of the experiences of individual people. Your best option may be to consult with a health care provider who is affirming of LGBTQ+ people.