1. Breast Cancer in Males?
Most men in today’s times have animpression that breast cancer is not acquired by males, but
that is not true.The CDC has identified breast cancer in males is usually detected or found in men
between 60 and 70 years of age, but it can develop at any age.Men make up less than 1% of all
cases of breast cancer.This is possibly due to smaller amount of breast tissue and the fact that
men produce less hormones such as estrogen that are known to affect breast cancers in women.It
is rare for men to develop this disease, but awareness is still important.
So what causes breast cancer in males?
According to cancer.govbreast cancer in men is sometimes caused by mutations or changes
inherited in celldata carried in genes received from a person’s parents. Approximately 5% to
10% of all breast cancer is made up of your hereditary breast tissue genes. Furthermore, some
altered breast cancer genes can be linked to or are more commonlyfound in certain ethnic groups.
Males with altered genes related to breast cancer have an increased risk of developing this
disease. Other risk factors include; history of breast cancer in a close female family member,
radiation exposure to chest and severe liver disease. Lastly, if you experience abnormal
enlargement of breasts in response to drug treatment, infections and poisons are more likely to
raise your risk of breast cancer.
What are the Symptoms and what can you do?
1. Do a self-breast exam. Men who have breast cancer usually developed lumps that can be
detected. Male breast cancer typically presents as a painless, firm mass that is usually subareolar
(below the areola of the nipple), is less often in the upper outer quadrant. The left breast is
involved slightly more often than the right, and less than one percent of cases are bilateral. Check
your breast tissue for signs or changes in size, shape, inversion (nipple), rashes, scaling,
discharge, elasticity, retraction, areola edema, crusting and abnormal masses.A breast self-
examination is done to detect breast problems or changes that may indicate breast cancer or other
breast conditions that may require medical attention.

2. Male breast anatomy: Anatomy of the male breast showing the nipple, areola, fatty tissue, and
ducts. Nearby lymph nodes, ribs, and muscle are also shown. (Credit: cancer.gov)
2. Get a clinical breast exam.For starters, knowing your family health history and your genetic
riskswill help your doctor with identifying your risk level. Breast cancer in men is often found or
diagnosed in its late stages. Cancer found at a later stage is less likely to be cured. If you’re
unsure of a discovery,a clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional can help identify tissue
abnormalities. If abnormalities are found, yourhealthcare provider will follow-up with exams to
identify findings (looking for cancer cells or other diseases). Your provider may orderany of the
following: Ultrasound, MRI, blood chemistry studies, or a biopsy to evaluate the
tissue.Treatment decisions are based on the results. Findings may identifymalignancy, rate of
growth and likely hood of reoccurrence.The same treatments used in treating breast cancer in
women (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy) are also used to treat breast
cancer in men.
The following types of breast cancer are commonly found in men (cancer.org):
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma: Cancer that has spread beyond the cells lining ducts in the
breast. Most men with breast cancer have this type of cancer.
Ductal carcinoma in situ: Abnormal cells that are found in the lining of a duct; also called
intraductal carcinoma.
Inflammatory breast cancer: A type of cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen
and feels warm.
Paget disease of the nipple: A tumor that has grown from ducts beneath the nipple onto
the surface of the nipple.

3. If you find or are concerned of any discovery we recommend you get seen by a provider. You
can schedule an appointment with your primary care team at 256-WELL (9355).Your provider
will set a plan in motion to accurately provide the best standard of care. For any Diagnostic
Imaging questions please give us a call at 256-7420.
Lastly, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month the 375th Medical Group would like to
invite you to our Breast Cancer AwarenessSeminar. Come join us onOctober 30, 2012 in the
Medical Group Deltgen Auditorium from 0800 to 0900. The event will cover the following
topics: Medical advancements, proper breast self-examination and local cancer recourses. Please
bring your questions and/or concerns to our medical staff! Snacks and beverages will be
provided.No reservations or appointments required.