You may not realize it, but some men might be at risk of developing breast cancer? While the risk is much lower for men, because they do have breast tissue they are at risk of developing this disease. Before puberty, both girls and boys have a small amount of breast tissue, containing just a few ducts. When girls reach puberty, their ovaries start producing hormones that cause the breast ducts to grow and develop lobules (milk glands) on the ends. When boys reach puberty, their testosterone level rises and prevents further growth of the breast tissue.

This reduction of growth does not prevent the cells of a man’s breast from undergoing changes and becoming cancerous. The smaller amounts of breast tissue do reduce the risk factors. In addition, female hormones, increasing the risk of breast cancer for women, are constantly feeding women’s breasts. Men with a history of breast cancer in the female side of the family should be aware they are also at risk for developing the disease.

Breast cancer in men will normally start around the nipple area. Men may also develop adenocarcinoma, which is a breast cancer that starts in the ducts or lobules of the breast. There are two main types of carcinomas, one is ductal, and the other is lobular carcinoma. Lobular carcinoma is rare in men because they do not usually have lobular tissue.

Ductal carcinoma in situ is a cancer that fills the ducts but doesn’t go through the walls to other tissues in the breast or spread outside the breast. For this reason, it is usually curable. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma starts in the breast ducts and metastasizes, or spreads, to other parts of the body. This cancer accounts for most of breast cancers in men.

Detecting breast cancer in men is important because it can quickly be carried to the lymph nodes by lymphatic vessels. Cancer cells entering the lymph nodes are transferred to other organs of the body and the cancer is harder to fight and more deadly.

Other breast disorders such as benign tumors are also more common in women but can develop in men’s breasts. Benign tumors do not spread outside the breast, and are not life threatening. Gynecomastia is one of the most common benign tumors found in men. An increase in breast tissue occurs and a small disk or button like growth is found under the nipple, normally too small to see, but it can be felt. This normally happens in young boys who are experiencing hormonal changes but occur in older men when their hormones become unbalanced. Tumors or diseases of the endocrine gland can cause this condition, but this is rare. Liver disease and obesity can cause hormone imbalance and can lead to gynecomastia.

Breast cancer in men will normally start around the nipple area. Men may also develop adenocarcinoma, which is a breast cancer that starts in the ducts or lobules of the breast. There are two main types of carcinomas, one is ductal, and the other is lobular carcinoma. Lobular carcinoma is rare in men because they do not usually have lobular tissue.

Ductal carcinoma in situ is a cancer that fills the ducts but doesn’t go through the walls to other tissues in the breast or spread outside the breast. For this reason, it is usually curable. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma starts in the breast ducts and metastasizes, or spreads, to other parts of the body. This cancer accounts for most of breast cancers in men.

Detecting breast cancer in men is important because it can quickly be carried to the lymph nodes by lymphatic vessels. Cancer cells entering the lymph nodes are transferred to other organs of the body and the cancer is harder to fight and more deadly.

Other breast disorders such as benign tumors are also more common in women but can develop in men’s breasts. Benign tumors do not spread outside the breast, and are not life threatening. Gynecomastia is one of the most common benign tumors found in men. An increase in breast tissue occurs and a small disk or button like growth is found under the nipple, normally too small to see, but it can be felt. This normally happens in young boys who are experiencing hormonal changes but occur in older men when their hormones become unbalanced. Tumors or diseases of the endocrine gland can cause this condition, but this is rare. Liver disease and obesity can cause hormone imbalance and can lead to gynecomastia.

Men should be aware of changes in their breasts, and should perform regular self-exams. They should also be aware of other changes, such as crusting, scaling, and itching around the nipple area. This is particularly important for men with a family history of breast cancer.

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