It is well known that breast cancer predominantly affects females. But breast cancer isn’t just a female issue. Men continue to be at risk.
The mean is between 60 and 70 years though all ages of men can be affected. The prognosis has been noted worse than women but only because it is usually not detected in men until it has reached a stage two status.
High O estrogen levels can increase the risk for men and that usually occurs in men who are very overweight, have experienced chronic liver conditions and may have some genetic disposition to the cancer. Men that have been exposed to a high level of radiation are also at significant risk.
According to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, men who carry the gene BRCA1 and BRCA2 also have a higher propensity towards breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer foundation states that the female child born of a father carrying the defective gene has a 40% to 80% chance of developing breast cancer.
Some of the most common symptoms include oozing from the nipple, swelling, a sore, nipple that is pulled into the breast and lumps under the arm. Just the same as women, a physical exam by your doctor is the first step. Then they will determine if a mammogram or a breast ultrasound is needed. Mammography is often more accurate in men than women since do not have the same density of tissue.
The American Cancer Society says treatment is the same for men as it is for women, which includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy.
Today, like most illnesses, the odds of overcoming breast cancer increase with the advancement that it’s detected. Men do get the same types of breast cancers as women, so it is important to be aware of the disease and not take sores or irregularities lightly.