Pink Not Just for Women, Men Die From Breast Cancer, too

The American Cancer Society estimates that 1,970 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in the United States, and about 390 men will die from breast cancer.

While breast cancer is about 100 times less common among men than women the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000. 

Previously, the prognosis for men with breast cancer was thought to be worse than for women, but recent studies have found this to be untrue.  Researchers believe that men and women diagnosed with the same stage of breast cancer have equal prognosis for survival.

The key to surviving breast cancer is in early diagnosis and treatment. No doubt a factor in  breast cancer in men, as breast cancer has been thought of as a 'women's cancer', thereby causing men to be less diligent in breast self-exam.  Mammograms are not designed for male breasts, and most doctor's do not include a breast exam as part of a man's physical check-up.

According to the ACS website, "breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts from cells of the breast. A malignant tumor  is a group of cancer cells that may grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. Breast cancer occurs mainly in women, but men can get it, too. Many people do not realize that men have breast tissue and that they can develop breast cancer."

The breast is made up mainly of lobules, ducts, and stroma (fatty tissue and connective tissue surrounding the ducts and lobules, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels).

Young boys and girls have a small amount of breast tissue which consists of a few ducts located under the nipple and areola until puberty, at which time a girl's ovaries make female hormones, causing breast ducts to grow, lobules to form at the ends of ducts and the amount of stroma to increase.  When boys experience puberty, hormones made by the testicles inhibit growth of breast tissue and lobules, but ducts are still present.

Breast duct cells are less developed in men than those in women because their breast cells are not constantly exposed to the effects of growth promoting female hormones.  However, just as all cells of the body, a man's breast duct cells can undergo cancerous changes.

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Men:

    *Aging is an important risk factor for the development of breast cancer in men, and increases as a man ages.  The average age when a man is diagnosed with breast cancer is about 68 years.

    *Family history of breast cancer increases risk; 1 in 5 mien with breast cancer have close relatives with the disease

    *Inherited gene mutations in the BRCA2 gene accounts for about 1 in 10 breast cancers in men.  BRCA1 mutations cause some increased risk for men, but not as much as the BRCA2 gene.  These families of cancer often occur before age 60.  Gene mutations CHEK2 and PTEN can also be responsible for breast cancer in men.

    *Klinefelter syndrome, a congenital condition present at birth affects about 1 in 1,000 men, often causing small testicles, infertility, lower levels of androgens and excess estrogen which can lead to gynecomastia (benign male breast growth).

    *Radiation exposure to the chest area can increase breast cancer risk.

    *Heavy alcohol consumption increases risk of breast cancer in men due to the effects alcohol has on the liver.

    *Liver disease, such as cirrhosis decrease androgen levels and increase estrogen levels  causing higher risk of male breast cancer.

    *Estrogen treatments often used in hormonal therapy for men with prostate cancer can cause a slight increase in male breast cancer risk.  This risk is small however, in comparison to the benefit received by slowing the growth of prostate cancer.   High doses of estrogens as part of a sex change procedure, also increase breast cancer risk.

    *Obesity is believed to be a risk factor for men as well as women for breast cancer as fat cells in the body convert male hormones into female hormones.

    *Testicular conditions, such as undescended testicles, having mumps as an adult or the removal of one or both testicles surgically can increase risk.

    *Certain occupations, such as working in hot environments with long-term exposure to high temperatures can affect testicles, which can affect hormone levels.  Heavy exposure to gasoline fumes also is believed to increase risk.

Since most breast cancer causes are not known, it is difficult to determine prevention strategies, however maintaining an ideal body weight and restriction of alcohol are two easy ways to possibly lower the risk.  

Currently the best strategies for reducing the number of deaths caused by breast cancer in men and women are early detection, diagnosis and treatment.  Men tend to be diagnosed with more advanced stages of breast cancer because they tend to ignore breast lumps and procrastinate when it comes to seeking medical attention.

Pink isn't just for women; it is a symbol of awareness of prevention, support in treatment and hope for a cure for breast cancer in both men and women.