Breast Cancer - Are Men At Risk?
Did you realize that men might be at risk of developing
breast cancer? The risk factor is much smaller in men, but they do
have breast tissue and they are at risk of developing this disease.
Before puberty, young women and boys have small amounts of breast
tissue with just a few ducts.
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When they reach puberty, a young woman’s
ovaries start producing hormones that cause the breast ducts
to grow and develop lobules (milk glands) to form on the
ends. A young boy’s Testosterone level raises and prevents
any further growth of breast tissue.
The cells of a man’s breast can undergo
changes and become cancerous. They have less breast tissue
so the risk factor is reduced. Women’s breasts are
constantly being fed by female hormones and make the risk of
breast cancer higher for women. Men who have a history of
breast cancer in the female side of the family should be
aware they are at risk for developing the disease too.
Other breast disorders such as benign tumors
are more common in women but can develop in men’s breasts.
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Benign tumors do not spread outside the breast.
They are also not life threatening. Malignant tumors can be
life threatening and may occur in both men and women. 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. Breast
cancer in men will normally start around the nipple area.
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Benign breast disorders are also common in
men. Gynecomastia is one of the most common found in men.
An increase in breast tissue occurs and a small disk or
button like growth is found under the nipple. Normally this
isn’t seen but can be felt with the fingertips. 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 may 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. |
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Ductal carcinoma in situ is a cancer that
fills the ducts but don’t go through the walls to other
tissues in the breast or spread outside the breast.
Benign breast disorders are also common in men. Gynecomastia is
one of the most common found in men. An increase in breast
tissue occurs and a small disk or button like growth is found
under the nipple. Normally this isn’t seen but can be felt with
the fingertips. 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 may 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 don’t go
through the walls to other tissues in the breast or spread
outside the breast.
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