Men can also develop breast cancer. The following are key facts about breast cancer in men:

• The ratio of male-to-female breast cancer diagnoses is 1 man to every 120 women.
• Male breast cancer rates are on the rise, which may be related to the hormonal effects of obesity.
• Men are often diagnosed with breast cancer at later stages than women.
• Male breast cancer is usually estrogen receptor positive.

Specific risk factors for male breast cancer include the following:

•  A family history of breast cancer, especially in other male relatives
• Certain genetic syndromes
• BRCA gene defect
• Klinefelter’s syndrome (sex chromosome combination of XXY), which carries a 50-fold increase in risk

How Is Breast Cancer in Men Diagnosed?

Usually a man will discover the breast mass himself and seek medical attention. His physician will then take a careful history, perform a physical exam, and often order breast imaging, including mammography and breast ultrasound. As with women, breast cancer is diagnosed by taking a tissue sample from the breast mass or abnormality. Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy is most commonly used to obtain the tissue; only rarely is an open surgical biopsy required for a breast cancer diagnosis.

How Is Breast Cancer in Men Treated?

Surgical treatment options for men diagnosed with breast cancer are the same as those for women. Male breast cancer can be successfully treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy (also called breast conservation therapy). The current breast conservation rate for male breast cancer in the United States is 13%. This means that many men with breast cancer are being treated with mastectomy.

Chemotherapy and/or endocrine therapy treatment recommendations are similar for men and women, and are dependent on the stage and biology of the patient’s cancer. For estrogen receptor–positive breast cancers in men, tamoxifen is the drug of choice.

The risk of developing a new breast cancer in the opposite breast for a male breast cancer patient is about 1% to 2%. Due to this very small risk, preventive mastectomy, also called prophylactic mastectomy,  for the opposite breast is not recommended.

Other Considerations for Men With Breast Cancer:

• Genetic testing—8% of all male breast cancer patients will carry a BRCA2 gene defect. This information is especially important for their female relatives. Genetic counseling for family members can be lifesaving.

• Risk of another type of cancer—12.5% of men with breast cancer will develop a second type of cancer. The most common associated cancers are prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer and colon cancer. Appropriate cancer screening guidelines are recommended.

Are Survival Rates Different for Men and Women?

Breast cancer survival for men and women is the same when the stage and biology of the breast cancer is similar. As with women, the earlier a breast cancer is detected and treated in a man, the better the chances of taking care of the breast cancer and improving long-term survival.

See also

Breast360: Helpful Websites: Male Breast Cancer

For Dad And Daughter Fighting Breast Cancer, Grit Runs In The Family. Story Corps, Morning Edition, NPR, July 29, 2016.