Male Breast Cancer – What is it, How is it Detected, How is it Treated?
Abnormal cell growth patterns in the breast or cancer of the breast occurs mostly among females and is rare among males. It is estimated that for every 100 breast cases, one involves a male victim. The good news is survival rate of both male and female cancer patients has been increasing, especially if the malady is detected in its early stages.
For obvious reasons, cases of male breast cancer can be easily detected among men as they have lesser breast tissue mass compared to women. In a physical examination, the masses of tissue abnormally developing in male breasts could be easily detected. Nevertheless, the fact that the breast tissue among males is lesser also means that the cancer growth detected may have already spread to a wider area. Men are also more likely to ignore small chest lumps as early signs of the disease because of its rare occurrence among males and may only seek for a medical opinion when an abnormal tissue mass has considerably grown in size. There is also the macho factor wherein some men may show reluctance to have their breast lumps checked on some misguided concern that their masculinity could be put into question. This paradoxical situation is very similar to men who suffer from the more common male disorder called gynecomastia or male breast enlargement.
As indicated earlier, the signs of male breast cancer are also similar to those found among a female afflicted with the dreaded disease. Abnormal lumps appear in either of the breasts. Bleeding of the nipple may also be experienced, which indicate that the cancer may already have reached the lymph nodes, and wherein immediate medical intervention is needed. Another sign to look out for is an abnormality of the skin surrounding the area of the lump.
With breast cancer’s rarity among males, general screening of men for the disease isn’t usually practiced unlike among women who are advised to have yearly breast checkups after age 40. The cause for both cancers of the male and female breasts has not yet been fully established. For males, several risk factors have been identified. One is genetic, with some studies showing that males at risk are those who have several female family relatives afflicted with breast cancer. Other risk factors include exposure to radiation and high estrogen levels which may result from obesity and cirrhosis of the liver. Men with these high risk factors are often advised to undergo mammography and/or genetic testing. Other diagnostic methods include breast ultrasound and biopsy.
There are several steps that may go into male breast cancer treatment, and the specific method applied may depend on the type or stage of the disease. Mastectomy or removing the breast surgically, followed by radiation and chemotherapy are the ways of treating breast cancer. These procedures, essentially the same as those used in female sufferers, should be discussed closely between the doctor and the patient. Also up for discussion prior to actual treatment patient preparation for the treatment or operation, possible side-effects and the expected prognosis or outcome of the procedure.
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