Male Breast Cancer
This section discusses the main aspects of male breast cancer including
what we know about why it happens, how it is diagnosed, the treatments
and some ways of coping with the disease. We hope it helps you
to discuss any questions you might have with your specialist team
and enables you to take part in your treatment plan.
We recommend that you read this with Action Breast Cancer’s booklet Understanding Cancer of the Breast . Although the booklet is aimed at women, much
of the information is relevant to men.
Breast cancer in men is uncommon, with approximately 16 men diagnosed
each year in Ireland.
Sections
What are the causes of breast cancer in men?
As with breast cancer in women, the causes of male breast cancer
are not known. However, we do know about some risk factors, the
most important being increasing age. In rare circumstances high
oestrogen levels, Klinefelter's syndrome, exposure to radiation
or a family history/genetic link may play a small part.
Age
As in female breast cancer, increasing age is the main risk factor.
Most men who get breast cancer are over 60, although younger men
can be affected.
Obesity
Although not fully understood,being very seems to increase the risk of
male breast cancer especially over 35 years of age, this may be related to a higher oestrogen level in the body.
High oestrogen levels
High oestrogen levels can occur as a result of chronic liver damage,
obesity and some genetic conditions.
Klinefelter's syndrome
This is a rare genetic condition where a man is born with an extra
female chromosome. For men who have this syndrome the risk of breast
cancer is 20 times greater than average.
Radiation
Men who have had repeated and prolonged exposure to radiation,
i.e. radiotherapy treatment to the chest wall (particularly when
young), are thought to be at increased risk of developing breast
cancer.
Family history/genetic link
An increased risk of breast cancer is seen in men with a family
history of female breast cancer. This includes mother or sister,
particularly if the relative was under 40 when diagnosed.
Approximately 5% of all breast cancers in women are thought to
have a genetic link. A genetic link in men seems to be more common,
approximately 10-20%. The gene that is most commonly associated
with male breast cancer is known as the BRCA2 gene, which can be
passed on to both male and female children. Genetic testing is
now available for people who may be carrying a faulty gene. You
may want to discuss this issue with your specialist, who can refer
you to a genetic clinic if necessary.
You may also find it useful
to read the section on hereditary breast cancer.
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What are the symptoms?
Because male breast cancer is rare a man might ignore his symptoms
and put off seeing his GP. This means that in some cases the cancer
is already advanced when it is diagnosed. The earlier breast cancer
is treated the better, so it is important to get any symptoms checked
out as soon as possible.
Most men go to their GP with a painless lump in the breast. Other
rarer symptoms include or
, ulceration or swelling of
the breast. Occasionally swollen lymph glands under the arm may
be noticed.
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How is the diagnosis made?
Once you have seen your GP you will be referred to a specialist
breast unit where you will be seen first by a doctor or specialist
nurse practitioner. Following a physical examination you may have
other tests such as:
- Mammogram - x-ray of the breast
- Ultrasound - imaging the breast using sound waves
- Fine needle aspiration - cells are taken from the lump using a
fine needle and syringe
- Core biopsy - a small piece of tissue is removed under a local
anaesthetic and looked at under the microscope.
To check that the cancer hasn't spread to other parts of the body,
you may have further tests such as a chest x-ray, liver ultrasound
or bone scan.
For more information on these tests, see Action Breast Cancer’s
booklet Understanding Cancer of the Breast .
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What treatment can I expect?
Some cancer centres are larger and treat more men with breast cancer
than others, so this may mean that you are referred to one of these
centres.
Treatment for men with breast cancer tends to be the same as that
for women. The treatment offered to you will depend on several
factors such as the type of tumour, the stage of the disease and
your general health. The main treatment used is surgery, either
alone or in combination with radiotherapy, hormone therapy or chemotherapy.
Surgery
This is usually the first treatment. is most commonly done. This may mean removing some
of the underlying muscle if the cancer involves it or is close
to it. Removal of the lump and is not usually possible because men only have a small amount of breast tissue. The lymph glands in the are also likely to be removed.
Radiotherapy
The aim of radiotherapy is to reduce the risk of the tumour coming
back in the treated area. It is often given to the chest wall following
mastectomy and to the lymph glands in the axilla if they are affected
and have not been completely removed during surgery.
For further information call our Freefone Helpline on 1800 200 700 and ask for the booklet on Radiotherapy .
Hormone therapy
All men produce a very small amount of oestrogen, which is mainly
a female hormone. Most male breast cancers need oestrogen to
grow so the tumours tend to respond well to hormone treatment.
The drug most commonly used is tamoxifen, which blocks the effects
of oestrogen on breast cancer cells so stopping them from growing.
Other hormone drugs known as aromatase inhibitors may also be
effective.
For further information call our Freefone Helpline on 1800 200 700 and ask for the factsheet on Tamoxifen.
Chemotherapy
This treatment may be recommended to you after surgery if the lymph
glands are involved or if the tumour is not sensitive to oestrogen.
The aim is to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. It may
also be offered if the cancer has spread beyond the breast to other
parts of the body. This is known as secondary or metastatic breast
cancer.
For further information call our Freefone Helpline on 1800 200 700 and ask for the booklet on Chemotherapy .
Targeted therapies
There are some newer drugs available, which may also be prescribed for you called
targeted therapies. These drugs work by blocking the growth and spread of cancer by
changing the biology of cancer cells. The most well known is a drug called Herceptin
(Trastuzumab). This one is only suitable for people whose cancer has high levels of ěHer2î,
a protein that encourages cancer cell growth.
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Coping with breast cancer
Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be a very anxious and frightening
time. At different times during the course of your diagnosis and
treatment you may experience a range of other emotions such as
shock, disbelief or anger. These feelings are common; everybody
responds differently and has their own way of coping.
You may find things particularly difficult because breast cancer
is more usually associated with women, and you may feel embarrassed
about discussing your diagnosis with others. You may also feel
very much alone, as there seems to be nobody else in the same situation
that you can look to for support.
Whatever your circumstances,
try not to bottle up your feelings or cope on your own. Remember
that there are people there who can support you, so don't be afraid
to ask for help. You might find it helpful to read other relevant
booklets such as
Understanding Cancer of the Breast Booklet
and Talking about your
Cancer.
Many people find that they can get back some sense of control
by finding out as much as possible about their condition and treatment.
It is important that you feel you can talk to your specialist or
breast care nurse about any questions or concerns you may have.
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Help from Action Breast Cancer
Action Breast Cancer is a national project established by the Irish
Cancer Society to provide breast cancer information and support
and to fund breast cancer research. Its services are free, confidential
and accessible.
For more information call the National Cancer Freefone Helpline
on 1800 200 700 or visit www.irishcancer.ie
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ABC would like to thank Breast Cancer Care
in the UK for their permission to adapt the text in this factsheet
from their series
of factsheets |
