Breast cancer, two words that can change your life in an instant. But while being diagnosed with breast cancer is something that is more likely to occur to females than males, it can happen to men as well. Read on to learn what you need to know about male breast cancer.

Since less than 1% of breast cancer diagnoses occur in men, it’s understandable that the subject receives less attention. But labelling breast cancer as a woman’s disease is unfair to the 2,800 men (and their families) who receive a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer every single year in the US alone. Moreover, about 510 men will die from breast cancer in 2025 in the US.

Male breast cancer develops in breast tissue. Male chests contain undeveloped milk ducts and other tissue where cancer can grow. Without treatment, it can spread throughout the body.

Ignoring the issue of breast cancer in males could have drastic consequences. With a disease that’s so important to identify early, it’s imperative that men know what to look for. Throughout this article, you’ll learn about these issues related to male breast cancer:

Signs and symptoms.
Diagnosis.
Risk factors.
Reduce your risk.
Treatments.
Making a treatment decision.
Coping with treatment and recovery.

Know about male breast cancer: Signs and symptoms.

When it comes to raising awareness of breast cancer in men, the most important thing to do is increase awareness around the signs and symptoms of male breast cancer. Because it’s so rare, it’s easy for men to dismiss a breast lump, writing it off as another issue. Contrastingly, increased awareness around breast cancer in women means many women are now more knowledgeable about testing and identifying lumps in their breasts.

The signs and symptoms of breast cancer in men include:

A firm lump in the breast, often right under the nipple.
A lump or swelling in the armpit.
Nipple pain.
Nipple turning inward.
Clear or bloody nipple discharge.
Sores or a rash on the nipple and the dark area around the nipple (the areola).
Changes to the breast skin, such as irritation, redness, dimpling, or puckering.
Change in the size or shape of the breast.

Importantly, report all suspicious lumps and signs to a healthcare provider as soon as you notice a potential problem.

On a positive note, not all breast-related signs and symptoms mean you have breast cancer! In fact, changes can also be signs of less serious non-cancerous conditions, including the following:

Gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia – an increase in the amount of breast tissue in males – can involve swelling or overall enlargement of one or both breasts. Often, your first symptom is a lump of fatty tissue under the nipple that may feel tender or sore.

Gynecomastia, which can occur at any age, is typically caused by a hormone imbalance. Enlargement of both breasts (not just on one side) is more likely a sign of gynecomastia instead of breast cancer.

Benign (non-cancerous) breast lumps.

Importantly, men can develop other types of abnormal lumps or masses of tissue in the breast that are not cancer and will not spread outside the breast. For example, men may develop lipomas (lumps of fatty tissue), cysts (fluid-filled sacs), hematomas (accumulations of blood), or fat necrosis (firm scar tissue).

Other non-cancerous breast issues.

Although sores and rashes can indicate cancer, it’s also possible to develop eczema and other non-cancerous skin issues on your breasts. Additionally, infections can cause swollen lymph nodes which can cause swelling in your armpit.

Know about male breast cancer: The Diagnostic process.

There are several diagnostic tests to determine if you have breast cancer and if so, whether it has spread outside the breast. Additionally, doctors use diagnostic test results to guide decisions about treatment.

If you have symptoms that may indicate male breast cancer, your doctor may recommend a combination of the following diagnostic tests:

Breast physical exam
Mammogram
Ultrasound
Biopsy

Importantly, if you are diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor may recommend additional tests, including:

Breast MRI
Blood marker tests
Chest X-ray
Bone scan
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Know about male breast cancer: Risk factors.

Importantly, having a risk factor, or even several, does not mean that you will get breast cancer. Notably, some men with one or more risk factors may never develop the disease, while most men with breast cancer have no apparent risk factors.

Although doctors don’t completely understand the causes of breast cancer in men, according to American Cancer Society, researchers identified the following factors that could increase the risk of getting it.

Aging.

Unfortunately, the risk of breast cancer goes up as a man ages. On average, men are about 72 years old when diagnosed with breast cancer.

Family history of breast cancer.

Breast cancer risk is increased if you have other blood relatives with a history of breast cancer. In fact, about 20% of men with breast cancer have a close relative, male or female, with the disease.

Inherited gene mutations.

Men with a mutation (defect) in the BRCA2 or BRCA1 gene have an increased risk of breast cancer (higher risk for those with BRCA2).

Although these gene mutations are most often found in families with many cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer, men can have these mutations even without a strong family history.

Additionally, mutations in CHEK2, PTEN and PALB2 genes may also cause some breast cancers in men.

Klinefelter syndrome.

Klinefelter syndrome is a congenital (present at birth) condition that affects about 1 in 1,000 men. Normally the cells in men’s bodies have a single X chromosome along with a Y chromosome. Men with Klinefelter syndrome have cells with a Y chromosome plus at least two X chromosomes (sometimes more).

Men with Klinefelter syndrome have lower levels of androgens (male hormones) and more estrogens (female hormones) which can lead to gynecomastia (benign male breast growth).

Unfortunately, men with Klinefelter syndrome have a higher risk of getting breast cancer than other men.

Radiation exposure.

Men whose received radiation in the chest area (such as for the treatment of a cancer in the chest, like lymphoma) have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Alcohol.

Heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer in men. This may be because of the effects of alcohol on the liver (see below).

Liver disease.

When men have severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis, they can have lower levels of androgens and higher levels of estrogen. This hormone imbalance can increase the risk of developing benign male breast growth (gynecomastia) as well as breast cancer.

Estrogen treatment.

In the past, doctors treated prostate cancer with estrogen-related drugs, which could slightly increase breast cancer risk.

Importantly, transgender/transsexual individuals who take high doses of estrogen as part of gender-affirming hormonal treatment could have a higher breast cancer risk. However, research on breast cancer risk in transgender individuals is quite new, so it isn’t clear what their breast cancer risk may be.

Excess body weight.

Excess weight is a risk factor for male breast cancer. Interestingly, fat cells convert male hormones (androgens) into female hormones (estrogens), leaving overweight men with higher levels of estrogens in their body.

Testicular conditions.

Certain conditions, such as having an undescended testicle, having mumps as an adult, or having one or both testicles surgically removed (orchiectomy) may increase male breast cancer risk.

Reducing your risk of male breast cancer.

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to guarantee you will not develop male breast cancer. But leading a healthier lifestyle will generally lower your risk of developing breast cancer. Consider these suggestions:

Stay active and maintain a healthy weight.

Your risk of breast cancer increases if you’re overweight. And the more weight you gain during adulthood, the higher your risk of breast cancer later in life.

Leading an active lifestyle and exercising regularly is arguably the most effective way to prevent excessive weight gain. With more and more jobs becoming desk-bound and our lives becoming increasingly supported by advancements in technology, inactive lifestyles are becoming increasingly common. If you sit at a desk all day for work, make time to participate in exercises you enjoy. If you cannot participate in strenuous exercise, focus on simple changes such as walking more and taking the stairs instead of an elevator when possible.

Eat a healthy diet.

While you shouldn’t believe everything you read in terms of links between certain foods and cancer, there are some proven links between diet and cancer rates, which it is important to be aware of.

The following recommendations from UCSF Health can help you reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. (Note these guidelines are aimed at preventing breast cancer for all genders, not just men.)

Try to eat low or nonfat foods to keep dietary fats to only 10-20% of your calories.
Eat more plant-based protein and less animal-based protein. For example, eat more beans and soy, and less turkey and lean meats.
Aim for a minimum daily serving of:
- Grains: 6 per day
- Vegetables: 3 – 5 per day
- Fruits: 2 – 4 per day
- Beans: 1 – 2 per day
- Soy: 1 – 2 per day
Drink 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of water a day.
Limit caffeine to no more than 1 to 2 cups a day.
Drink alcohol in moderation, with no more than 3 servings per week.
Limit nitrates and cured foods, such as hot dogs.
Decrease food additives, such as artificial food coloring.

Limit alcohol consumption.

Regularly drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing breast cancer. Importantly, the more you drink, the higher your risk. In fact, research suggests that excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing breast cancer (and other cancers).

Experts believe no level of alcohol consumption is completely safe. However, if you want to drink alcohol, experts recommend you drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread across 3 days or more.

Avoid EDCs.

The endocrine system regulates our body and organs using hormones as chemical messengers. High levels of estrogen increase breast cancer risk in both men and women. Unfortunately, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are found in a wide variety of products, may interfere with our hormones and the messages they carry to our organs.

In fact, evidence suggests that exposure to EDCs can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

Exposure to EDCs may occur through air, diet, skin, and water. Unfortunately, you cannot completely avoid exposure to EDCs, but you can make informed choices to reduce exposure and risk of any potential health effects.

Products that may contain EDCs include:

*Sources: European Society of Endocrinology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

To reduce your exposure to EDCs, follow these suggestions:

Store food in glass containers.
Avoid plastic and non-stick cookware.
Choose fresh, organic products when possible.
Dust and vacuum your home frequently.
Check ingredients in cosmetics.
Avoid products containing fragrances.

Know about male breast cancer: Treatment options.

Your doctor will likely recommend one or more of the following treatment options. (For detailed information on each treatment option, visit BreastCancer.org.)

Surgery.

The primary treatment for male breast cancer is surgery, with modified radical mastectomy the most common surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the breast, many of the lymph nodes under the arm, the lining over the chest muscles, and sometimes part of the chest wall muscles.

For more information, read Tips for a Smooth Recovery from a Mastectomy.

Breast reconstruction surgery.

Unfortunately, male breast surgery can leave chest wall deformities and concerns about appearance. Fortunately, there are options for men who want breast reconstruction to help restore the natural appearance of their chests. The best option depends on your goals and your post-mastectomy appearance.

Options for reconstructive options include fat grafting, breast implants, tissue “flaps” moved from other parts of the body to the chest, nipple reconstruction, and tattooing.

Importantly, the surgery is generally performed when all other treatments are completed.

Radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, uses energy beams that contain supercharged particles to kill cancer cells, thereby causing tumors to shrink. You may receive radiation therapy before or after surgery. Additionally, you may receive radiation along with chemotherapy.

For more information, read Important Things to Know About Radiation Treatment.

Chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy uses anticancer medicines to kill cancer cells. In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell’s ability to grow or reproduce.

For more information, read 8 Important Things to Know About Chemotherapy.

Targeted therapy.

Targeted therapies are medicines that target specific characteristics of cancer cells, such as a protein that allows the cancer cells to grow quickly or in an abnormal way.

Immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy medicines use your body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. Currently, immunotherapy medicines are used to treat:

All stages of triple-negative breast cancer
Mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) advanced-stage breast cancer that has grown during or after treatment if no other treatment options are available

Hormone therapy.

Some types of breast cancer are affected by hormones, like estrogen and progesterone. In this situation, breast cancer cells have receptors that attach to estrogen and progesterone, which help the cancer grow.

Before receiving hormone therapy, your doctor will perform a hormone receptor test on a small piece of your cancer tissue to determine if estrogen and progesterone receptors are present. If your cancer cells are hormone receptor-positive, hormone therapy may help slow cancer growth.

Hormone therapy is often used after surgery to reduce the risk of a recurrence, but it can also be used before surgery. Importantly, you may also receive hormone therapy to treat a cancer recurrence, or to treat cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Hormone therapy drugs are usually taken for at least 5 years.

Adjuvant therapy.

This treatment involves getting radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy after surgery to kill any unseen cancer cells.

Know about male breast cancer: Making a treatment decision.

Certainly, choosing a treatment can feel overwhelming.

Whenever possible, get a second opinion before starting treatment. Getting other opinions can help you get an accurate, timely diagnosis and can help you receive the best treatment possible. A second, or even third opinion, can confirm a previous diagnosis or reveal alternative diagnostic and/or treatment options.

When choosing a treatment, consider the expected outcome as well as potential side effects. If time permits, conduct your own research using reputable websites (such as sites run by US government, US teaching hospitals, and reputable cancer organizations). Work with your doctor to make a treatment decision together – do not let your doctor decide for you!

For more information, read Why are Second Opinions Important?

Know about male breast cancer: Coping with male breast cancer.

The information above can help you identify or prevent breast cancer as a male, but what about if you’ve recently received a breast cancer diagnosis? Dealing with a scary and rare diagnosis isn’t just about the physical impact. This diagnosis can also come with a lot of emotional trauma.

Finding emotional support.

Importantly, take care of your emotional health throughout your journey. As a male, coping with the mental side of a breast cancer diagnosis can feel daunting. Most support and information around breast cancer is geared towards women, which can leave you feeling isolated.

When dealing with male breast cancer, you may feel a sense of embarrassment when explaining your situation. However, you are not alone. While less than 1% of breast cancer diagnoses involve men, this still equates to over 20,000 male breast cancer cases each year, meaning you are from alone.

Finding people who will support you can make this difficult journey easier. Now is the time to lean on your friends and family members. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your loved ones want to support you but realize you may need to tell them explicitly what you need.

Additionally, you may find it helpful and comforting to connect with other men with breast cancer. Visit online message boards and forums where you can openly discuss your breast cancer journey with other men going through, or have been through, the same journey as you.

Managing your treatments and recovery.

Certainly, your treatment will be the most physically demanding part of your cancer journey. Breast cancer follows a similar treatment and recovery journey for men and women. As outlined above, you will likely receive one or more treatment regimens.

Every treatment option comes with side effects, which may interfere with the quality of your life during your treatment period. Talk to your doctor about how to stay as comfortable as possible during your treatment. Additionally, to help your recovery, read Pain Management for Cancer Patients and Yoga Can Help Cancer Patients.

Unsurprisingly, your recovery will likely require time off from work and plenty of rest. Ask your doctor about how and when you can resume physical activity, including driving, exercising, and working.

Do you know someone with male breast cancer?

If you have a close friend or family member with male breast cancer, educate yourself as much as possible about your loved one’s diagnosis, treatment and recovery. This will ensure you can have open and honest conversations and provide needed emotional and physical support.

Learn more…

Certainly, cancer is a serious, life-altering diagnosis. Understanding your diagnosis, making treatment decisions, and coping with your “new normal” can feel overwhelming. These articles can help.

I wrote this in collaboration with Toby Patrick, a freelance health writer who often combines his passion for creative writing with his love for all things health. His writing covers everything from tips to leading a healthy lifestyle to the latest news from the medical industry.

What you Need to Know About Male Breast Cancer