Breast Cancer Information/Diagnosis and Testing

Male Mammogram: What Men Need To Know

Medically reviewed by Maybell Nieves, M.D.

Written by Sherri Gordon, CLC

Posted on August 5, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1 out of every 100 breast cancer cases, but men who have symptoms or certain risk factors may be referred for a mammogram to check their breast tissue.

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Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1 percent of all breast cancer cases. However, men who are at risk of the disease or have symptoms may need a mammogram — a type of X-ray that uses compression to create images of breast tissue.

If your healthcare provider has recommended a mammogram, knowing why it’s used in men and what to expect can help ease your concerns. Here’s what you need to know about male mammograms, including what the results may show.

When and Why Do Men Get Mammograms?

Unlike women, men aren’t usually advised to get annual screening mammograms because male breast cancer is so rare. Instead, mammograms are mainly used as a diagnostic tool when a man has concerning symptoms or certain risk factors.

For men younger than 25, an ultrasound is usually recommended first, followed by a mammogram if needed. Here’s an overview of why a mammogram might be recommended.

Potential Symptoms of Breast Cancer or Other Conditions

Most often, men get a mammogram because of a suspicious lump in the breast. Men do have a small amount of breast tissue, and it can develop breast cancer. Usually, however, a lump turns out to be gynecomastia (benign enlargement of breast tissue) or a harmless area of dense breast tissue.

Other symptoms that may lead to a mammogram include nipple pain, nipple discharge, discoloration, dimpling, puckering, an orange-peel appearance, or thickened skin. These symptoms don’t automatically mean you have breast cancer, but they shouldn’t be ignored.

History of Breast Cancer and Other Risks

Men with a history of breast cancer or a BRCA gene mutation (change) have a higher risk of breast cancer. In these cases, a healthcare provider may recommend regular mammograms and will teach you how to perform breast self-exams.

However, annual screening mammograms aren’t usually recommended for men unless a healthcare provider believes they may be beneficial. Instead, you may start yearly clinical breast exams at age 35 while continuing monthly self-exams.

Some healthcare providers may recommend mammograms based on your age and personal health history. Risk factors for male breast cancer include:

Family history of breast cancer (including early-onset breast cancer) or ovarian cancer
Gene mutations
Radiation exposure to the chest
Liver disease
Heavy alcohol use
Obesity (a higher body weight)
Estrogen therapy
Klinefelter syndrome (an extra X chromosome)

What Should You Expect During a Male Mammogram?

You don’t need to do much to prepare for a mammogram. However, you should avoid wearing deodorant, lotions, creams, or cologne. These products can interfere with the mammogram’s accuracy and increase the chances of being called back for more imaging.

The Mammogram Process

At the imaging center, a technician will likely give you a gown to wear and ask you a few questions. During the procedure, both breasts will be imaged because cancer can develop in either breast.

The technician will position one breast on a flat plate attached to the mammogram machine. A second plate will press down on the breast, compressing the tissue to create clearer images. You may be asked to hold your breath and remain still while the images are being taken.

After the first images are taken, the technician will reposition you, compress the breast again, and take images from another angle. The process will be repeated for the other breast.

If you experience pain at any time, let the technician know. They may be able to reposition you so you have less discomfort. It’s also possible to have some pain or discomfort the next day.

Potential Challenges With Male Mammograms

Men have less breast tissue than women, including fewer ducts and glands, so the technician may need to reposition you several times. They’re trained to use techniques that help produce the clearest possible images.

Usually, standard mammography techniques provide enough information to make a diagnosis. If needed, you’ll be called back for additional images, such as spot compression or magnification views, to get a closer look at a specific area.

You may not receive your results right away, depending on the imaging center’s policies. Waiting can be stressful, but keep in mind that male breast cancer is rare. One study found that among men at high risk, only 18 out of every 1,000 exams resulted in a breast cancer diagnosis.

What Do Mammogram Results Show?

Overall, mammograms are highly accurate at diagnosing male breast cancer, gynecomastia, and other benign breast conditions. Mammograms identify about 92 percent to 95 percent of cancers, a measure known as sensitivity.

Mammograms also correctly rule out breast cancer in about 90 percent to 95 percent of men who don’t have the disease. This is known as specificity. Even so, radiologists must carefully distinguish breast cancer from noncancerous conditions.

Appearances of Different Lumps

Male breast cancer usually develops beneath the nipple and is linked to nipple changes in about 40 percent to 50 percent of cases. However, it can also develop elsewhere in the breast.

On a mammogram, breast cancer may look like a lump or mass with irregular edges and star-shaped projections called spiculations that extend into the surrounding tissue. In some cases, though, the lump may have smooth or well-defined edges.

Male breast cancer may also contain calcifications, although this is uncommon. Calcifications are tiny calcium deposits that can be seen on a mammogram. Enlarged lymph nodes may also be present and should be evaluated because they can be a sign that the cancer has spread.

In contrast, gynecomastia usually appears as a flame-shaped area of enlarged breast tissue. It may also blend into the surrounding fatty tissue and typically doesn’t contain calcifications. Other benign findings may include lipomas, cysts, and abscesses.

What Happens After an Abnormal Result?

Sometimes, a mammogram is done along with a breast ultrasound, especially if more detailed imaging is needed or the exam shows an abnormal result. An ultrasound can also be helpful when dense breast tissue makes it harder to evaluate a mammogram.

In these situations, an ultrasound can provide additional information to help make a diagnosis. MRI may also be used to determine whether breast cancer has spread or grown into the chest wall. In some situations, it may also help monitor how well treatment is working.

What if Imaging Isn’t Enough?

If a radiologist can’t make a diagnosis based on imaging or can’t confirm that a lump is noncancerous, a biopsy may be needed. During a biopsy, a healthcare provider uses a thin, hollow needle to remove a small sample of tissue. The sample is then examined under a microscope to determine whether cancer cells are present.

To perform this test, your healthcare provider may use mammography, ultrasound, or another imaging method to guide the biopsy needle into the area of concern. Ultrasound-guided biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing male breast cancer.

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, remember that many cases are treatable, and some can be cured, especially when the disease is found early. Finding a healthcare team you feel comfortable with is an important part of your care.