The following information on Male Breast Cancer is being shared for your information and awareness purposes. It is always advisable to consult your GP for health-related issues. According to Pink Ribbon, male breast cancer is on a high in Pakistan due to less awareness and treating a lump as something that’ll be fixed over time.
There are many misconceptions and false beliefs so deep-rooted in society that at times these start seeming true. The same is the case with breast cancer which is considered to be a disease that can affect women only. But male breast cancer is a thing, rare without any definitive statistics that would state the rate of male breast cancer patients.
But it’s not private news and a lot of this has to do with a lack of awareness among the masses regarding breast cancer in men. Men are less likely to report a lump in breast compared to women and is more common among elderly men.
Breast cancer risk in men is increased by elevated blood levels of estrogen, previous radiation exposure, and a family history of breast cancer.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF MALE BREAST CANCER
Breast cancer in men can have the following sign and symptoms:
- Formation of a lump in the breast
- The thickness of breast tissues
- The skin of the breast becomes reddened, puckered, may have depressions and scales too.
- Inward turned nipples
- Nipples become red and may have scales
- Discharge from nipples that can be clear or bloody
- Nipple pain
- Increase in size of lymph nodes of underarms
RISK FACTORS FOR MALE BREAST CANCER
There are certain factors which tend to increase the chances of breast cancer in men. These are called risk factors. Risk factors for breast cancer in men are:
- Exposure to radiations for treatment of other diseases like lymphoma
- Family history of breast cancer
- Men affected with Keinfilter syndrome have higher chances of breast cancer
- Increase in age
- Liver disorders
- Corpulence
- High levels of estrogen due to medications, obesity, or other reasons
DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT
After a complaint in breast tissues is notices following tests are ordered to confirm the diagnosis:
- Mammogram (which cannot be performed on men because of less breast tissue and a different body structure)
- Ultrasound
- Biopsy
- Nipple discharge examination
After a confirmed diagnosis treatment plan is made as per the individual condition of the patient.Commonly used treatment strategies include:
- Surgical removal of affected tissue
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
Share this information with your loved ones and help us build awareness around this disease. There are a lot of studies and material up online so you can read more on Male Breast Cancer.
