jan/Feb, 2020 | The Health
men
23
Men can get breast cancer
Condition may be rare, but if you detect abnormalities, go for screening at once
A
ccording to the National
Cancer Society Malaysia
(NCSM), breast cancer affects
about 4,000 women a year
in the country. The statistics
translate to one in 19 women
being diagnosed, mostly between 35 to 60
years old.
Although breast cancer occurs more
times in women, men can get it too. Many
don’t realise that men have breast tissues
and that they can develop into breast
cancer.
The prevalence of breast cancer in men is
rare. NCSM statistics show only one per cent
of those who are affected are men. However,
the rate seems to be rising in recent years.
Does it affect differently?
According to Cancer Research UK, the symp-
toms, diagnosis, and treatment are all quite
similar to women, although the risks
and causes might vary slightly.
As similar to women, symptoms
of breast cancer in men include:
• Oozing from the nipple
(discharge) that may be blood
stained
• Swelling of the breast
• A sore or ulcer in the skin of the
breast
• A nipple that is pulled
into the breast (nipple
retraction or inverted
nipple)
• Lumps under the
arm
With virtually the
same symptoms as
in women, diagnos-
ing the condition in
men is also similar.
A screening for
breast cancer usually
involves a painless,
ultrasound scan or a
breast x-ray called a
mammogram.
Type of treatment
are also the same for both
genders. The treatment to
be adopted are decided by
how far the cancer has pro-
gressed and whether the
cancer cells have receptors
for any particular hormone
or biological therapies.
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normal adult male would.
2. Family history
Men who have female relatives with breast
cancer have an increased risk of developing
one themselves, especially close relatives
such as the mother or sister. The risk is even
higher is the breast cancer in said relative were
diagnosed at a younger age than usual (below
40 years old).
It may seem that anyone — regardless of
gender, can be a victim of faulty genes being
passed down. However, a study from Cancer
Research UK had found that men are more
susceptible to inherit faulty genes.
What is the difference?
As stated earlier, the difference
between breast cancer in women
and men is in the risk factors and
possible causes. Some of the risk
factors for men can be divided into
three:
1. High oestrogen
level
It is normal for men
to produce oestrogen
as it is normal for
women to produce
testosterone.
Oestrogen is made
partly in the fat tissue
in the body. Therefore,
it is found that men who
are obese could produce
more oestrogen due to the
abundance of body fat.
Men who are suffering
from chronic liver condi-
tions such as cirrhosis
also have higher levels of
oestrogen, which height-
ens the risk of developing
breast cancer.
Another factor of high
oestrogen level is having
a genetic predisposition
to produce more than a
Image above shows
the cancerous tumour
that may be present
in men’s breast, and
how a mastectomy is
to be done as part of
treatment.
3. Environmental or genetic
predisposition
Other factors that must also be taken into
account are extended exposure to radiation
and men with Klinefelter’s syndrome. Both
instances are quite rare, yet remains potent
risks for men to develop breast cancer.
The added problem in men
The fact that men are less likely to get breast
cancer compared to women also strengthens
men’s disbelief in them actually having the
risk to develop breast cancer altogether.
And that strong disbelief will hit them
hard if they are diagnosed or even when
they detect abnormalities around their
breast area themselves. Statistically speak-
ing, men are seen to be more ashamed or
afraid to come forward for screening if
they suspect something is wrong with their
chests or breasts.
It doesn’t help much as well when most
of the support groups and organisations for
breast cancer focuses more on women rather
than men. It can be alienating and confusing
for men with breast cancer.
Support is always present
Having said that, organisations supporting
breast cancer victims open their arms to
everyone affected, including men.
It is therefore important for men to get
the help they need if they are afflicted with
breast cancer. When it comes to your health
and well-being, ego and pride should be kept
in a separate state of mind.
And as for the support groups, it is impor-
tant to create greater awareness among men
about breast cancer and to create equal moral
support to them just as women would. — The
Health