Breast Fact #2 - Breast Cancer in Men
October 7th 2007 by pelfy in General DiscussionsMale breast cancer is rare. It happens most often to men between the ages of 60 and 70. Risk factors for male breast cancer include exposure to radiation, a family history of breast cancer and having high estrogen levels, which can occur with diseases like cirrhosis or Klinefelter’s syndrome.Symptoms of male breast cancer include lumps, changes to the nipple or breast skin, or discharge of fluid from the nipple. Treatment for male breast cancer is usually a mastectomy, which is surgery to remove the breast. Other treatments include radiation, chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy.
Source: National Cancer Institute
In addition to that, Radiology Malaysia Forun also reported that “about 1% of breast cancers each year in the United States of America are in males. There appears to be a rising trend in the USA. Approximately 1,690 new cases are found among men annually (2005 estimates), and about 460 will die from the disease. Breast cancer appears to have risen about 50% in the last 3-4 years.
Men should not die from the disease just because they are unaware this disease occurs in men as well. Men with a family history of breast cancer should check themselves regularly and see their doctor the moment there is a change. Their treatment is just as for females. The earlier the stage at which the cancer is detected, the better the chances of successful treatment.
In the West, the majority of male breast cancer patients are in their 50s or 60s. Just like females, breast cancer genes (BRCA2) also affect men and increase their risk of breast cancer.
In Malaysia, the National Cancer Registry reported 56 news cases of male breast cancer in 2002 and 24 new cases in 2003.
In 2002, the male breast cancers were diagnosed in 26 Malay, 22 Chinese and 5 Indian men. 71% (40 of them) were diagnosed in those aged 50 years or more.
Of the 24 new cases reported in 2003, 11 were in Chinese men while 7 were in Malay men. 71% were aged 50 years or more.”
Source: Radiology Malaysia Forum
Related article:
Breast Fact #1 - Self Breast Examination
October 9th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Of course men do get breast cancer too! They have breasts also, right?