Breast cancer amongst men is rare
Most people don’t know that men can get breast cancer because they aren’t aware that men have breasts too.
Breast cancer occurs mainly in women but men can get it too; however, many people do not realise that men have breast tissue and can develop breast cancer.
Breast cancer in men is extremely uncommon.
It occurs in fewer than one per cent and the mean age at which men may develop breast cancer is approximately five to ten years later than women.
Zanele Mtetwa, a radiographer and sonographer at Life Springs Parkland Hospital, says a man’s chance of getting breast cancer remains a misery as it increases with age.
“Breast cancer in men varies from age 35, however, it may affect some males approximately five to ten years later than it does women,” says Mtetwa.
Most men have lumps in their breasts but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have cancer.
However, symptoms that include fluid discharge or blood and tender pain can also be detected.
Other signs may include a nipple turning in, changes in the size or shape of the breast, a rash affecting the nipple, a swelling or lump in the armpit and an ulcer on the skin of the breast.
Danielle de Beer, a mammographer and radiographer at the hospital, says risk factors for male breast cancer may include aging, family history of breast cancer or high estrogen levels which can happen with diseases like Klinefelter’s syndrome.
Other men who smoke, who are overweight, are exposed to radiation and work in certain occupations may also be exposed to the risks of male breast cancer.
De Beer says treatment for male breast cancer is usually a mastectomy, which involves surgery to remove the breast and other treatments such as radiation, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.
She advises patients to visit their local general practitioners (GP) to have themselves checked for possible early detection.
