Men Can Develop Breast Cancer Too

When we think of breast cancer we think of women. However, breast cancer can develop on men as well. Men do have breast tissue although not as much as women. Anyone who has breast tissue can develop breast cancer. Nearly 500 men died of breast cancer in 2006. And nearly 1,700 men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

While both males as well as females have breast tissue at birth, the male's breast tissue does not continue to grow as male hormones prevent this occurrence. As a result, a man's breast contains ducts but usually no lobules which produce milk in the female.

It is thought that because a woman's breast goes through many changes and growth, they are more likely to develop breast cancer. However, a man's duct cells can undergo changes as well. It is important to realize that most breast lumps are non-cancerous. These types of tumors will not spread outside of the area of the breast. The types of breast tumors which are malignant are not seen very often in men.

Some men have a condition known as gynecomastia. When a man has gynecomastia, they can have what appears to be an enlarged breast. When this occurs it is as a result of an increase in male breast tissue. This condition is common, and is as a result of hormone imbalances in both teenage boys as well as older men. When a male is obese, or is experiencing liver disease, many times this will lead to a change in their hormonal balance and gynecomastia may result.

There are also certain medications which can cause gynecomistia. Some of these are medications to treat high blood pressure, ulcers, heart failure, and heartburn.

Although breast cancer is rare in men, it is most commonly seen in men who are between the ages of 60-70. Men are at greater risk if there is a family history, if had exposure to radiation, or it they have a higher level of estrogen than normal. In addition, African-American men are at great risk of developing breast cancer than Caucasian men.