Male breast cancer is an uncommon but dangerous kind of cancer that develops when aberrant cells proliferate in a man's breast tissue. Men can also acquire breast cancer, especially as they age, despite the fact that women are more likely to have it.
The exact causes of male breast cancer are not fully understood, but they are likely to involve a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Some of the possible causes include:
Family history: Given that breast cancer in males may run in families, certain men may be born with an increased chance of getting the disease. This might be the result of mutations in certain genes, such BRCA1 or BRCA2, which ordinarily aid in cancer prevention but, when mutated, raise the risk of breast and other cancers.
Hormone levels: The ratio of estrogen to testosterone in the body may have an impact on male breast cancer. While testosterone is a male hormone that can impede breast cell development, estrogen is a feminine hormone that can promote it. Male breast cancer risk may be increased in men with greater levels of estrogen or lower levels of testosterone as a result of age, obesity, liver illness, or certain drugs.
Radiation exposure: Male breast cancer may be caused or worsened by exposure to radiation, such as from X-rays, CT scans, or radiation therapy, that can damage the DNA of breast cells and make them more prone to cancer.
Other factors: Male breast cancer may be associated with other factors, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, or occupational hazards, that can increase the risk of cancer in general.
The symptoms of male breast cancer can vary from person to person, but they generally include:
Lump or swelling: A painless, hard, or irregular lump or swelling in the breast, chest, or armpit, that does not go away or change with the menstrual cycle.
Nipple changes: Changes in the appearance or sensation of the nipple, such as inversion, retraction, discharge, bleeding, or scaling.
Skin changes: Changes in the skin of the breast or nipple, such as dimpling, puckering, redness, or ulceration.
Pain or tenderness: Discomfort or sensitivity in the breast, chest, or nipple, that may or may not be related to the lump or swelling.
To be diagnosed with male breast cancer, you must have at least one of these symptoms, and they must cause significant distress or impairment in your social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
If you have symptoms of male breast cancer, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor may perform a physical exam, ask about your medical history, and order some tests, such as:
Mammogram: A low-dose X-ray of the breast that can detect any abnormal masses or calcifications in the breast tissue.
Ultrasound: A sound wave imaging of the breast that can distinguish between solid and fluid-filled lumps, and determine their size, shape, and location.
Biopsy: A procedure that involves removing a small sample of breast tissue and examining it under a microscope to look for cancer cells and determine their type and grade.
Blood tests: To check your levels of certain hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, and to rule out any infections or inflammation.
Imaging tests: To check if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, or bones, using X-rays, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan.
The treatment of male breast cancer depends on the stage, type, and grade of the cancer, and your overall health and preferences. The main treatments for male breast cancer are:
Surgery: To stop the cancer from spreading or returning, the tumor, some surrounding tissue, and occasionally the lymph nodes under the arm are removed. The goal of any surgery, whether it be a lumpectomy, mastectomy, or sentinel lymph node biopsy, is to remove as much cancer as possible while conserving as much normal tissue as feasible. Surgical techniques vary in their objectives and results.
Radiation therapy: Using high-energy rays or particles to eradicate any cancer cells that may still be present, reduce the size of the tumor before or after surgery, or alleviate symptoms or discomfort associated with advanced cancer. Radiation treatment comes in a variety of forms, including brachytherapy and external beam radiation, each with its own side effects and working mechanisms, but they all aim to damage cancer cells' DNA and stop them from proliferating.
Chemotherapy: The intravenous or oral administration of medications that either eradicate or inhibit the spread of cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy can be the primary treatment for advanced or metastatic cancer, or it can be used in conjunction with radiation therapy or surgery. Chemotherapeutic drugs, including anthracyclines, taxanes, and platinum agents, differ in their modes of action and adverse effects; nonetheless, they all function by disrupting the cell cycle or metabolism of cancerous cells.
Hormone treatment involves the use of medications that either block or reduce the activity or synthesis of hormones, such as testosterone or estrogen, which can accelerate the development of breast cancer cells that are sensitive to these hormones. In cases of advanced or metastatic cancer, hormone therapy may be utilized as the primary treatment, in addition to or instead of surgery, radiation therapy, or both. While the efficacy and negative effects of hormone treatment vary, it always functions by blocking the binding or production of hormones or their receptors. Examples of these therapies include tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists.
Utilizing medications that can target certain molecules or pathways involved in the development or survival of cancer cells, such as HER2, a protein overexpressed in some breast tumors that increases their aggressiveness, is known as targeted treatment. Targeted therapy can be the primary treatment for advanced or metastatic cancer, or it can be used in conjunction with other therapies such hormone therapy or chemotherapy. Targeted therapies come in several forms, such trastuzumab, pertuzumab, or lapatinib. Each has a unique target and set of adverse effects, but they all act by obstructing or reducing the target's ability to function or communicate.
While there is no sure way to prevent male breast cancer, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk or recurrence of male breast cancer, such as:
Getting assistance as soon as possible: Do not wait to speak with your physician and receive the necessary diagnosis and treatment if you observe any indications or symptoms of male breast cancer. Your chances of recovering and averting more issues increase the sooner you receive assistance.
Observing your treatment plan: If your physician or oncologist has diagnosed you with male breast cancer and given you a treatment plan, make sure you adhere to their instructions. This might entail coming to your follow-up visits, taking your medicine as prescribed, and getting tests and scans on a regular basis. Your progress or result may be impacted by stopping or altering your therapy without first speaking with your physician or oncologist.
Self-care: Since male breast cancer may impact both your physical and emotional well-being, it's critical to look after yourself. This includes maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, getting enough sleep and exercise, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco, and controlling your stress and emotions. These routines can improve your wellbeing, happiness, and immune system.
