Male Breast Cancer Statistics
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Men have underdeveloped breast tissues which puts them at a risk of developing breast cancer. Even though male breast cancer is not very common, and females are hundred times more vulnerable to breast cancer, one in hundred breast cancer cases occur in men.
When a man has risk factors for male breast cancer, the breast tissues may start developing cancer cells, and he may get breast cancer. There is no age requisite for male breast cancer to occur, however, men between 60 years to 70 years of age are most vulnerable. Exposure to radiation is a common male breast cancer risk factor. Also, the risk goes high if there is a family history of breast cancer. Men with Klinefelter's disease and cirrhosis have high risks too. Klinefelter's is when a man abnormally has two X chromosomes instead of one. Cirrhosis comes with high levels of estrogen, which is a big male breast cancer risk factor. Also, men with weight and alcohol problems are more prone to developing breast cancer.
Men have a higher risk of developing breast cancer if a member of their family has had it, compared to females, where only 5 females out of 100 develop cancer due to heredity. Also, a mutation in the breast cancer genes - BRCA1 and BRCA2 - can cause development of breast cancer. This mutation is very rarely because of heredity and is mostly acquired during the lifetime.
Just as in females, the presence of a lump is a symptom for male breast cancer. It is often painless, and may be occur along with increasing thickness of breasts. The breast skin may appear pitted and show the peau d'orange syndrome. Changes in the nipple, fluid discharge from nipples, inverted nipples, redness around the nipples, and change in the breast skin texture are all symptoms of male breast cancer.
Getting regular breast examinations is as important is men as it is for females. For diagnosis, biopsy is recommended, even though mammography and ultrasounds work great because men don't have as dense tissues as females do, which makes detection of lumps easier. If the diagnosis is positive, getting the breast tissue tested for traces of estrogen and progesterone hormones is a good idea, since these hormones are known to promote cancer growth, and can be medically exterminated.
Men can have non-invasive or in situ cancers, which have not spread outside the breast area, or invasive tumors that can spread out. Removal of lump in non invasive cancers - which is usually the first stage of cancer - is recommended. Invasive cancers vary from Stage I to Stage IV, depending upon how advanced the cancer is. Stage I cancers almost always get treated. Mortality rate keeps going higher, depending upon the stage. By Stage IV, the cancer becomes metastatic and spreads to body organs.
For men with Stage IV of invasive breast cancer, chemotherapy, hormonal treatment and radiation therapy become imperative, since metastasis makes cure so hard. Likewise, treating male breast cancer is not very different from treating females with the disease, for any stage of breast cancer
Leading a healthy life during treatment is quintessential. Abstinence from alcohol and curing weight problems go a long way in both prevention and cure of breast cancer. You will always have family and friends for all the help and support you need, and you should never stop yourself from availing that help. Rest assured, you will lead a perfectly happy life thereafter.
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All about the differenty types of male breast cancer symptoms. Act now and research the latest breast cancer treatments
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
Word Count: 585
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