You're absolutely right — male breast cancer is often overlooked! Men do have breast tissue, and breast cancer can develop in it. It's rarer than in women, but it's very real. About 1 in 726 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. There are MyBCTeam members who are men living with breast cancer, and Show Full Answer
You're absolutely right — male breast cancer is often overlooked! Men do have breast tissue, and breast cancer can develop in it. It's rarer than in women, but it's very real. About 1 in 726 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. There are MyBCTeam members who are men living with breast cancer, and their experiences and insights are a valued part of the community.
The most common type in men is ductal carcinoma, which starts in the milk ducts. Symptoms to watch for include:
- A lump or swelling in the breast tissue
- Skin changes like dimpling, puckering, or scaly skin
- Nipple discharge or pain
Risk factors specific to men include BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations, family history of breast cancer, higher body weight, heavy alcohol use, and certain hormonal factors.
The good news is that when caught early, survival rates are high — localized breast cancer in men has a 95% five-year survival rate. So awareness truly matters, and it's great that conversations like this one are happening!
October 20
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