Male Breast Cancer

Summary

Although breast cancer is much more common in women, men can get it too. It happens most often to men between the ages of 60 and 70.

Breast lumps usually aren’t cancer. However, most men with breast cancer have lumps. Other breast symptoms can include:

• Dimpled or puckered skin
• A red, scaly nipple or skin
• Fluid discharge

Risk factors for male breast cancer include exposure to radiation, a family history of breast cancer, and having high estrogen levels, which can happen with diseases like cirrhosis or Klinefelter syndrome.

Treatment for male breast cancer is usually a mastectomy, which is surgery to remove the breast. Other treatments include radiation, chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

National Cancer Institute

Statistics and Research

• Advances in Breast Cancer Research National Cancer Institute

Patient Handouts

• After chemotherapy – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Breast cancer in men Medical Encyclopedia
• Chest radiation – discharge Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
• Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology
• National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
• Organizations that Offer Cancer Support Services National Cancer Institute

Diagnosis and Tests

• Breast Biopsy National Library of Medicine
• Can Breast Cancer in Men Be Found Early? American Cancer Society
• HER2 (Breast Cancer) Testing National Library of Medicine
• Stages of Male Breast Cancer National Cancer Institute
• Tests for Breast Cancer in Men American Cancer Society
• Tumor Marker Tests National Library of Medicine

Start Here

• Breast Cancer in Men Susan G. Komen for the Cure
• Breast Cancer, Male American Society of Clinical Oncology
• General Information about Male Breast Cancer National Cancer Institute
• Male Breast Cancer Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Genetics

• Breast cancer: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Breast Neoplasms, Male National Institutes of Health

Reference Desk

• Dictionary of Cancer Terms National Cancer Institute

Treatments and Therapies

• Men With Breast Cancer Need More Treatment Options and Access to Genetic Counseling Food and Drug Administration
• Treatment Option Overview (Male Breast Cancer) National Cancer Institute

Journal Articles

• Male Breast Cancer