Although breast cancer is associated with women, it also affects men, albeit at a limited rate that does not exceed 1% of the total cases of the disease. Its danger lies in that some men may ignore its early symptoms, because they believe that breast cancer is a disease limited to women.
The American Cancer Society estimates for the year 2026 that about 2,670 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in the United States, with about 530 deaths expected to be recorded from the disease during the same year.
The association estimates that a man may develop breast cancer during his lifetime at about one case in every 755 men, while the average age at diagnosis ranges between 60 and 70 years.
Although the disease is rare, the chances of survival increase significantly when detected early. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year relative survival rate is about 97% for men who are diagnosed with the disease before it has spread beyond the breast.
The World Health Organization states that men represent between 0.5% and 1% of all breast cancer cases, stressing the importance of early diagnosis and providing appropriate treatment and care to reduce deaths and complications.
One man for 100 women
Professor Dr. Naglaa Abdel Razek, Professor of Diagnostic Radiology and Head of the Women’s Medical Imaging Unit at Kasr Al-Aini Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University, says that breast cancer in men is rare compared to women, as approximately one man is infected for every 100 women infected with the disease.
She explained to Al Jazeera Net that genetic predisposition represents one of the most prominent risk factors, especially in men who carry mutations in genes associated with breast cancer, including BRCA1 and BRCA2.
She points out that hormonal disorders may lead to changes in breast tissue in men, the most prominent manifestation of which is gynecomastia, which is a benign enlargement of breast tissue that may occur as a result of an imbalance between male and female hormones.
However, gynecomastia in itself is not a proven risk factor for breast cancer, although some hormonal disorders and medical conditions may be associated with the appearance of gynecomastia and an increased risk of cancer at the same time.
Medicines and diseases that affect hormones
Dr. Najla explains that hormonal changes in men may be related to some diseases or the use of certain medications. Among these medications are some treatments used for diseases of the nervous and digestive systems, blood pressure and heart medications, and some medications for treating baldness and the prostate, some of which may lead to the appearance of gynecomastia as a side effect.
Other diseases, such as cirrhosis, may also affect the balance of hormones in the body, leading to an increase in the size of breast tissue in men.
She stresses the importance of paying attention to these changes and seeing a doctor to determine their causes, especially if a new breast enlargement appears or is accompanied by a change in the shape of the nipple or skin.
The appearance of gynecomastia does not necessarily mean the presence of a cancerous tumor, and its occurrence does not require preventive treatment for breast cancer. Rather, the need for treatment depends on the cause, symptoms, and the doctor’s evaluation.
How is breast cancer diagnosed in men?
Dr. Najla explains that diagnosing breast cancer in men depends on the methods used to diagnose the disease in women, most notably mammography and ultrasound, in addition to taking a tissue sample when needed.
She points out that a mammogram is an accurate method that helps doctors distinguish between benign changes and masses that require further examination.
It sends a message of reassurance to men, stressing that the appearance of a lump in the breast does not necessarily mean cancer, as it may be caused by a benign enlargement of the tissue.
The doctor determines the appropriate examination according to the patient’s age, the nature of the mass, and the results of the clinical examination, before deciding on the need to take a sample and analyze it.
Is treatment different for women?
Dr. Najla confirms that the treatment of breast cancer in men depends on the same therapeutic principles used in women, taking into account the type of tumor, its stage, and the extent of its spread.
Treatment includes surgery to remove the tumor, and some patients may need radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or targeted and immunological treatments, according to the nature of the injury.
She explains that surgical intervention is one of the basic options in many cases, but the choice of the treatment plan depends on the medical team’s evaluation of each patient.
Do men need regular examination?
Dr. Najla explains that men generally do not need to undergo regular breast cancer screenings similar to the screening programs designated for women, given the low rates of infection with the disease.
However, she stresses the need to consult a doctor when noticing any abnormal mass or changes in the breast, and not to postpone the examination based on the belief that men do not get this type of cancer.
Men who are most at risk of infection, especially those with known genetic mutations or a strong family history of the disease, may need special medical follow-up, during which the doctor determines the need for periodic examinations.
Factors that increase the risk of infection
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are factors that may increase men’s chances of developing breast cancer, most notably:
- Increasing age: The risk of infection increases with age.
- Genetic factors: especially mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and a family history of breast cancer.
- Radiation therapy: Previous exposure to radiation therapy in the chest area.
- Hormonal treatments: the use of some medications containing estrogen.
- Klinefelter syndrome: This is a genetic condition that may lead to an altered balance between male and female hormones.
- Testicle diseases: Some pathological conditions that affect the functions of the testicles.
- Liver cirrhosis: which may lead to disturbances in hormone levels in the body.
- Obesity and overweight: which are linked to an increased risk of disease.
5 signs that should not be ignored
Although breast cancer in men is rare, delayed attention to its symptoms may lead to its diagnosis at more advanced stages.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates a group of signs that require seeing a doctor, including:
- A lump or swelling appears in the breast, which may be painless.
- Discharge from the nipple, especially if it is accompanied by blood.
- Nipple shrinkage or change in shape.
- Redness, peeling, or ulceration of the breast skin.
- Change in breast shape or appearance of wrinkles and shrinkage in the skin.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean cancer, as they may result from benign conditions, but determining the cause requires medical evaluation and not just guessing.
Global efforts to reduce deaths
The World Health Organization confirms that improving the chances of surviving breast cancer depends on early detection, rapid diagnosis, and availability of appropriate treatment.
The organization’s data indicates that breast cancer death rates, after adjusting for age, decreased by 40% in high-income countries between the 1980s and 2020. Countries that made progress in combating the disease were able to reduce deaths at rates ranging between 2% and 4% annually.
These numbers reflect progress in the fight against breast cancer in general, and are not limited to cases recorded among men.
In 2021, the World Health Organization launched the Global Initiative to Combat Breast Cancer, with the aim of reducing death rates resulting from it by 2.5% annually, which may contribute to avoiding about 2.5 million deaths globally by 2040.
Although infection rates differ between men and women, the basic message is the same: pay attention to unusual changes in the breast, and do not delay seeing a doctor, because early diagnosis provides better chances of treatment and survival.