Signs and Symptoms for Male Breast Cancer

Men may possibly suffer from breast cancer, which is believed by some as a condition only for women. Male breast cancer develops in men’s breast tissue. Men of any age may have this condition but it is more common in older men. As indicated by Cancer Facts and Figures 2013 by the American Cancer Society, nearly 2,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected in men in the U.S. this year 2013. About 410 deaths linked to breast cancer are expected to men. Deaths may be prevented or delayed with earlier diagnosis and improved treatment. This is why it is vital that they should be informed about signs and symptoms for male breast cancer.

Breast lump or mass is one thing that men themselves can notice. It is the most frequent symptom of breast cancer in men. More often, it appears below this part of the body where the tissue is concentrated. It is usually pain-free. Similarly, males are more expected to go through nipple discharge than females. This sometimes contains blood. Nipple retraction is also noticeable, as well as skin ulceration and scaling or redness of the breast or nipple skin.

Additional signs and symptoms for male breast cancer develop once the tumor has spread to other areas of the body like liver, bones and lungs. This is referred to as metastatic breast cancer. Symptoms for this certain type of breast cancer are trouble in breathing, feeling sick, feeling fatigue all the time, skin itch and bone pain.

Men should consider visiting their doctors soon as they observe breast lump or problems in the nipples, such as the ones mentioned above. This is to confirm the presence of cancer, go through treatment and prevent spread.

Breast cancer in men is diagnosed similar to women. They may undergo ultrasound, which is a painless scan by means of sound waves. They may also go through breast x-ray or mammogram. In case the oncologist notices an area that is possible indication for cancer, he will get a sample of the breast tissue and test it using microscope. If the test indicates that the patient is positive for breast cancer, the physician will conduct other tests to find out if it has not spread.

Men are provided the same breast cancer treatments as women. Examples of these are chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Their reaction to hormone treatments, however, is superior to women. Almost 80 percent of breast cancers in men have hormone receptors. This implies that they have particular areas on the cancer cells where specific hormones, such as estrogen, can perform. Similarly, 71 percent of male breast cancers are found to be BCRA positive. Because of this, hormonal treatment may work to be effective for men.

Signs and symptoms for male breast cancer shouldn't be ignored as they offer people more reasons to go through early detection. The same attention should also be given if they are at higher risk of this disease. Common risk factors for male breast cancer are family history, age, high levels of estrogen, excess weight, radiation exposure and more.