Breast cancer is usually talked about as a women’s health issue, but men can get breast cancer too—and it’s often diagnosed later. According to the American Cancer Society, about 510 men die from breast cancer each year.
One big reason outcomes can be worse for men is late detection. Many men don’t realize they have breast tissue, or that changes in the chest area—like a lump—can be a warning sign. Even when something feels “off,” it’s easy to ignore or put off getting checked.
Multiple studies show that men are far less likely than women to have routine medical visits. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “men will do almost anything to avoid going to the doctor.” They found that nearly half of men skipped an annual wellness visit, even when experiencing concerning symptoms. The same survey found that more than 70% of men would rather do household chores, like scrubbing the bathroom, than go to the doctor. Healthcare avoidance has real consequences for men.
Risk Factors for Developing Breast Cancer in Men
Breast cancer in men develops through a combination of hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors. Some of these risk factors can be changed with lifestyle adjustments. Others are not modifiable. They are built into a person’s genetic makeup. Let’s take a look at both.
Biological and Inherited Risk Factors (Not Changeable)
- Inherited gene mutations: BRCA2 is a gene mutation that significantly increases the lifetime risk of breast cancer in both men and women.
- Age: Men are most likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer between the ages of 60-70.
- Genetic conditions: Klinefelter syndrome and other genetic conditions can raise estrogen levels and increase the risk of breast cancer in men.
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Family history: Having a family history of breast cancer significantly increases the risk.
Modifiable Risk Factors (Things You Can Change)
The good news is that there are risk factors you can influence.
- Alcohol use: Heavy alcohol use increases the risk of breast cancer in men. That is because alcohol use can affect hormonal balance as well as liver functioning. When the liver is damaged, it doesn’t clear estrogen from the blood effectively. This increases the risk of breast cancer. Limit or avoid alcohol to decrease the risk.
- Excess body weight: Higher body fat increases estrogen levels in men, which can fuel the development of breast cancer. Maintaining a healthy body weight can help.
- Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of many cancers, including breast.
- Diet: Eating a healthy diet rich in unprocessed vegetables, fruits, and lean grains can help maintain a healthy body weight. This can reduce the risk of breast cancer in men.
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Exercise: Numerous studies have shown that even light exercise can decrease the risk of breast cancer, including in men. That’s because it helps reduce inflammation and makes it easier to maintain a healthy body weight.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Men
The early signs of breast cancer in men are usually subtle and easy to brush off. They may assume that they are not a big deal.
Here’s what men should look out for:
- A painless lump: This may be located behind the nipple.
- Thickening in the breast or chest area: Thickening in the breast or underarm.
- Nipple changes: The nipple may turn inward, or there may be discharge.
- Discharge: Fluid or blood leaking from the nipple.
- Skin changes: There may be puckering or dimpling of the skin.
- Redness or irritation: The breast or nipple may be irritated.
- Swelling: Especially in the armpit area.
If you notice any of these changes, don’t wait—get it checked.
Common Types of Breast Cancer in Men
Most male breast cancers start in the milk ducts. Common types include:
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): IDC accounts for 10% of breast cancer cases in men. It’s by far the most common type. It begins in the milk ducts. Then, it spreads into the surrounding tissue. These tumors can spread quickly in men because they have less breast tissue.
- Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): This is a pre-invasive cancer. That means it hasn’t spread to the nearby tissue. It often presents as minor changes, like a small lump. It is highly treatable when caught early.
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): This is rare in men. But it’s still important to be aware of. It often spreads in a linear pattern rather than a lump.
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer: This is a rare but fast-growing type of breast cancer seen in men. It’s often mistaken for an infection because it causes swelling.
Is it harder to find breast cancer early in men?
In many cases, the answer is “yes” but that’s not because it behaves much differently than breast cancer in women.
Rather, it’s because of the stigma in our culture of men being “tough” and not going to the doctor when noticing something unusual, like a breast lump. Men may feel embarrassed to bring this up to their doctors.
Another factor is the lack of routine screening for men. Unlike women, who often get mammograms as preventative care, men have no screenings.
Also, there is a lack of awareness among men and even medical providers. Many men believe breast cancer to be something that women get. Primary care doctors may not bring it up to men.
Screening for breast cancer in men
In the U.S., there’s no routine breast cancer screening for most men, so awareness is your first line of defense.
If you have a family history, a high-risk gene mutation (BRCA1 or BRCA2) or other high-risk factors, consider getting an ultrasound screening. You don’t need a doctor’s appointment for an ultrasound screening. This is something you can easily do on your own. Also, do regular self-exams to find any changes.
If you notice any signs or symptoms of breast cancer, like a lump, visit your doctor and ask for a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound.
Have questions about breast cancer screening? Visit our FAQs.
Why HerScan?
Most men don’t think about breast cancer screenings. The problem is that if you wait until you have a reason to (like a lump), it might make it much harder to treat.
HerScan offers easy, comfortable screenings that you can schedule in your free time at your convenience. The screenings do not require a doctor’s order or referral and include easy, electronic access to your report.
