When people hear “breast cancer,” they often think it’s a disease that only affects women. But the truth is men can also get breast cancer.
Though it’s rare, it happens, and awareness can save lives.
Understanding Male Breast Cancer
Both men and women have breast tissue, even though men have it in smaller amounts. This means that breast cells in men can become cancerous, just like in women.
According to health experts, male breast cancer makes up about 1% of all breast cancer cases, but because many men don’t know it’s possible, they often ignore early warning signs or get diagnosed too late.
Common Signs and Symptoms in Men
• A lump or swelling in the chest area
• Nipple discharge (sometimes with blood)
• Changes in the skin around the chest, such as redness or scaling
• Inverted nipple or soreness around the nipple
• Swelling in the armpit or near the collarbone
If any of these signs appear, it’s important to see a doctor immediately.
What Causes It?
Several factors can increase a man’s risk of developing breast cancer:
• Family history of breast cancer (especially BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations)
• Hormonal imbalance (higher estrogen levels)
• Radiation exposure near the chest area
• Liver disease or obesity, which can raise estrogen levels
• Age — most cases occur in men between 50 and 70
Why Awareness Matters
Because male breast cancer is rare, men don’t often think to check themselves or go for screening.
This leads to late diagnosis, making treatment more difficult.
Talking about it openly helps break the stigma and encourages men to pay attention to their health because early detection truly saves lives.
What Men Can Do
• Perform self-checks regularly for lumps or changes
• Know your family history and get tested if breast cancer runs in your family
•Adopt a healthy lifestyle exercise, eat well, and avoid smoking or excessive drinking
• Speak up — if something feels off, don’t ignore it. See a doctor
Breast cancer doesn’t choose based on gender. Men, too, need to be aware, informed, and proactive.
Talking about it openly could help save a brother, a father, a husband, or even a friend.
Let’s remember: awareness has no gender.
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