Please note that men can also get breast cancer!

Please note that men can also get breast cancer!

North China Petroleum Administration General Hospital Zou Dongrong

Male breast cancer (MBC) is a relatively rare disease, the exact cause of which is not fully understood, and its incidence is much lower than that of female breast cancer. In the past five years, the age of onset of male breast cancer has been mainly concentrated between 68 and 71 years old, but according to data from a multicenter study in my country, the median age of MBC is 63 years old, with an age range of 14 to 81 years old. This shows that although MBC is more common in older men, it can also occur in younger men. Compared with women, male breast cancer patients tend to present with a later clinical stage at the time of diagnosis, which may be related to the lack of targeted screening programs for men.

1. Possible risk factors and causes:

1. Genetic factors: Certain inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, are associated with an increased risk of male breast cancer. These genes are involved in DNA repair, and when they mutate, they may increase the risk of cancer.

2. Hormone levels: Changes in hormone levels in the body, especially increased estrogen levels or an imbalance in the ratio of estrogen to androgen, may be related to the occurrence of male breast cancer. It may also be related to certain diseases (such as Klinefelter syndrome) or drugs (such as hormone therapy drugs for prostate cancer).

3. Environmental factors: Long-term exposure to certain environmental factors, such as electromagnetic fields, styrene, formaldehyde, etc., may increase the risk of disease.

4. Other factors: Lifestyle factors including obesity, lack of physical exercise, and alcohol intake may also be associated with an increased risk of male breast cancer.

5. Radiation exposure: Patients who have previously received radiotherapy to the chest may also be at increased risk.

6. Changes in breast tissue: Such as gynecomastia, a condition in which breast tissue grows, may increase the risk of cancer.

2. Clinical manifestations:

1. Breast lumps: Male breast cancer (MBC) often occurs below the nipple, and often manifests as a painless lump under the areola, which may involve the axillary lymph nodes.

2. Nipple discharge: During the development of the disease, the nipple may be affected earlier, manifesting as symptoms such as nipple discharge and nipple retraction.

3. Breast skin changes: Since men have less breast glandular tissue and do not seek medical treatment in time, MBC patients may experience adhesion of chest skin or chest muscles, such as skin depression, redness, swelling, and orange peel-like changes;

4. Swollen lymph nodes: Swollen axillary or supraclavicular lymph nodes may be a sign of tumor metastasis.

3. Diagnosis and Treatment

1. Diagnosis: In addition to clinical manifestations and physical examinations, imaging examinations such as B-ultrasound, X-ray, and dynamic enhanced MRI of the breast can also be selected. B-ultrasound examination has advantages in the evaluation of breast and axillary lymph nodes. For suspicious lesions, histopathological examination is the gold standard for preoperative diagnosis of MBC. The expert group recommends core needle puncture biopsy under B-ultrasound guidance, and does not recommend fine needle aspiration cytology. In addition, considering that BRCA1/2 mutations are associated with an increased risk of MBC, it is recommended that MBC patients consider BRCA gene testing.

2. Treatment: The treatment principles for male breast cancer are generally similar to those for female breast cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, and targeted therapy. However, due to the particularity of male breast cancer, the treatment plan may vary according to individual circumstances. But early detection and treatment can significantly increase the cure rate.

IV. Preventive measures:

Prevention measures for male breast cancer are similar to those for female breast cancer. Although the incidence of male breast cancer is lower, adopting some healthy lifestyle habits and getting regular medical checkups can still help reduce your risk.

1. Healthy diet: Eat a balanced diet, eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and reduce the intake of high-fat and high-sugar foods.

2. Maintain weight: Avoid obesity and maintain a healthy weight through a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

3. Regular exercise: Regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or other aerobic exercise, can help control weight and reduce cancer risk.

4. Limit alcohol intake: Reduce alcohol consumption as excessive drinking is associated with an increased risk of several cancers.

5. Avoid smoking: Do not smoke and avoid secondhand smoke, as smoking is a risk factor for many cancers.

6. Regular physical examinations: Have regular physical examinations, including breast examinations, especially for men with a family history of breast cancer.

7. Understand family medical history: Find out whether there is a history of breast cancer or other cancers in the family. Men with a family history may need to start screening earlier.

9. Genetic testing: If there is a known breast cancer-related gene mutation in the family, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, genetic testing can be considered.

10. Avoid unnecessary radiation exposure: Minimize unnecessary X-ray examinations and other radiation exposure.

11. Maintain mental health: Manage stress and emotions, as long-term stress and negative emotions may affect the immune system.