Male Breast Cancer
What Is Male Breast Cancer?
Even though men can’t produce breast milk, they have breast anatomy — fatty tissue and cells in their chest — where cancer can develop.
Similar to women, many different types of breast cancer can occur in men. The receptor subtype (hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive or triple-negative) can also vary, which is information that can help guide treatment. Most male breast cancers are the hormone receptor-positive subtype.
Risk Factors Found in Men With Breast Cancer
Male breast cancer risk factors can include:
- Age: The risk of male breast cancer increases as a person ages. Most men are diagnosed at ages 60 and older.
- Being overweight: Carrying extra weight can increase estrogen levels in the body, which can contribute to developing male breast cancer.
- Family history: Having a parent, sibling or child of either sex who has experienced breast cancer puts people at greater risk.
- Genes: Certain gene mutations, or changes, can put people at risk of developing male breast cancer. Changes to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are strongly associated with breast cancer. Mutations to the PTEN gene (Cowden syndrome), TP53 (Li-Fraumeni syndrome) and MMR gene (Lynch syndrome) may also increase risk, although less commonly compared to the BRCA mutations.
- Klinefelter syndrome: This condition, where men inherit an extra copy of the X chromosome, can lead to issues with how the testicles develop. It can affect hormone balance, which can lead to breast cancer in men.
- Liver disease: Certain liver conditions, including cirrhosis, can affect the body’s hormone levels. Increased estrogen in the body due to a liver condition can increase the risk of male breast cancer.
- Hormone therapy: Estrogen-related medications used in treating certain health conditions, such as prostate cancer, may increase male breast cancer risk.
- Testicle-related condition or surgery: Conditions that affects the testicles, including orchitis, or inflamed testicles, undescended testicles, or having surgery to remove the testicles can increase the risk of male breast cancer.
Signs & Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Men
Finding male breast cancer early can provide access to more treatment options and help improve the chances treatments will be successful. While breast cancer screening begins at age 40 for women with average risk, this isn’t a recommended men’s health screening due to how rare the condition is in men.
Some men may be unaware that they’re even at risk for breast cancer, as the condition is so strongly associated with women. Since most men don’t perform breast self-exams and can miss the first sign of male breast cancer – usually a lump that feels like a small knot – it’s important that men talk with their primary care providers about any changes to their chest.
The most common signs of male breast cancer include:
- Changes in chest size
- Lump felt in the breast or in the armpit
- Nipple changes, including the nipple turning inward or nipple changing color
- Nipple discharge
- Pain or soreness
- Skin changes, such as dimpling, irritation, puckering
How Is Male Breast Cancer Diagnosed?
Several tests are completed to diagnose and stage male breast cancer. Providers will order tests that will best address a person’s unique situation.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a test that looks for cancer cells in your tissue. During a biopsy procedure, tissue is removed from the breast via a needle. The tissue sample is sent to a lab to be more closely examined. A biopsy sample also can be used to stage how aggressive the cancer may be and analyze the receptor status to help plan targeted treatments.Breast Exam
A clinical breast exam will be completed to help your doctors understand any changes in your breast. During the breast exam, providers look for lumps, assessing their size, feel and location.
Mammogram & Other Imaging
A variety of tests may be used in the diagnosis of male breast cancer. The most common is the mammogram, an X-ray that creates an image of the inside of the breast. Ultrasound may also be used, which takes an image using sound waves. Magnetic resource imaging (MRI) is often used to help detect cancer in those with denser breast tissue.
Treatment Options
There are several types of treatment that can be used for male breast cancer. Your care team will work with you to create a plan that addresses the cancer’s stage, your current health and your individual needs.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, often called chemo, is a type of medication that targets and destroys cancer cells. It is often used along with radiation.
Hormone therapy
Male breast cancer is often hormone sensitive, meaning that the cancer relies on certain hormones to grow. This also means that hormone therapy may help slow cancer growth and may be used as a treatment to prevent recurrence after surgery.
Lumpectomy
The cancerous lump and some healthy tissue that surrounds the lump are removed during this type of surgery. Lumpectomy is also called breast-conserving surgery. It is used less often in men since male breast cancer often grows behind or into the nipple.
Mastectomy
This is the most commonly used surgery for male breast cancer since men have such little breast tissue. In this procedure, the affected breast and tissues are removed. Depending on the situation, the underarm lymph nodes, chest wall muscles or both may be removed along with the breast during a mastectomy.
Radiation
Radiation, also called radiotherapy, is a treatment that uses high doses of radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells. Radiation for male breast cancer is often used after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may still exist.
Targeted therapy
These types of medicines target specific features of cancer cells. If applicable, targeted therapy for male breast cancer focuses on the growth-promoting hormone, HER2. This type of treatment may be used after surgery, or as an additional option if the cancer spreads to other areas.
Breast Cancer Support Groups for Men
A breast cancer diagnosis can be difficult for men, especially since it may be hard to find peers who have had a similar experience. Houston Methodist offers a Breast Cancer Support Group that is open to both men and women — so they can get the emotional and spiritual support from peers facing the same journey.
FAQs About Male Breast Cancer
How curable is male breast cancer?
Outcomes are also influenced by a patient’s compliance with their care plan. It’s important to understand that, while you can’t change your diagnosis, you can influence male breast cancer treatment. Following your doctor’s treatment guidance is paramount.
Getting a diagnosis early can help prevent spread and increase the odds that treatment is successful. Even though this cancer is rare, men should focus on how their body changes as they age — and talk with their provider as soon as they notice differences in their chest appearance or notice a lump.
Is male breast cancer hereditary?
Inherited breast cancers make up less than 10% of all breast cancers. They can occur when gene changes or mutations are passed down from one generation to the next. The overall risk of developing breast cancer is very low in the average population; having a gene mutation increases that risk.
Mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can increase the risk of developing male breast cancer. However, it’s important to note that men carrying BRCA2 have a 7 in 100 chance of developing the condition and men carrying BRCA1 have a 1 in 100 chance. Carrying any of these gene mutations does not mean a person will develop male breast cancer; but it’s important to know your family history to know your risk profile.
What causes male breast cancer?
Male breast cancer begins with changes to the DNA in cells in the breast tissue. The DNA changes cause cells to replicate rapidly. This overgrowth of cells is what causes tumors to grow and spread and injure healthy breast tissue. What causes the DNA changes for male breast cancer to develop is largely unknown.
What is the difference between gynecomastia and breast cancer?
Gynecomastia is a benign breast condition where there is an increase in breast tissue. The condition appears as a growth under the areola, and, in some cases, it looks like the person has grown small breasts. Male breast cancer is a cancerous condition caused by DNA changes to the cells of normal breast tissue.
Gynecomastia usually affects teenagers and older men, since the hormonal changes during puberty and older age may cause imbalances. Gynecomastia is much more common than male breast cancer. It can be caused by certain hormone disorders, medicines, being overweight and medicines used to treat blood pressure, heartburn, heart failure and psychiatric conditions.
What do men use to check for breast cancer?
Mammograms typically are not a suggested yearly wellness screening for men, nor are frequent breast self-exams. However, men with known BRCA mutations can benefit from a yearly breast exam.
As men have less breast tissue to examine, consider doing the following self-exam steps:
- Look in the mirror and view your chest. What does the skin look like? Does it look thicker than usual?
- Have there been any changes since the last time you looked at your chest?
- Is there any asymmetry (size differences)?
- Is there any rash near or around the nipple?
- Put one hand behind your head, and with the opposite hand using the three middle fingers, press at your nipple and go in a circular motion around the areola, then expanding out, gently pressing on the tissue to feel for any knots. Pinch the nipple to see if it emits any fluid.
- Repeat the process on the other side of your chest.
At what age are men at risk of breast cancer?
Is male breast cancer painful?
Why Choose Houston Methodist as Your Cancer Care Provider
Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center is where innovation meets personalized treatment — offering compassionate, expert cancer care. Our breast cancer specialists employ some of the most advanced, cutting-edge techniques in the country.
At Houston Methodist, you're not just a patient — you're part of a family united in the fight against breast cancer. You can trust our team to provide top-tier medical care and unwavering support every step of the way.