Awareness of Male Breast Cancer

Something that is not often discussed - something that needs to be discussed openly as early detection and early treatment is the only way to treat any type of cancer successfully.

You may be thinking: Men don't have breasts, so how can they get breast cancer? The truth is that boys and girls, men and women all have breast tissue.

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that develops from cells of the breast tissue. In India, there are 2000 cases of male breast cancer each year. It comes as a shock and even embarrasment for some men who are not entirely aware of the fact that men too, can develop this illness.

The breast is made up mainly of lobules (milk-producing glands in women), ducts (tiny tubes that carry the milk from the lobules to the nipple in women), and stroma (fatty tissue and connective tissue surrounding the ducts and lobules, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels).Until puberty, young boys and girls have a small amount of breast tissue consisting of a few ducts located under the nipple and areola (area around the nipple). At puberty, a girl's ovaries produce female hormones, causing breast ducts to grow and lobules to form at the ends of ducts. Men's breast tissue contains ducts, but only a few lobules (if any).

Many types of breast disorders can affect both men and women. Most breast disorders are benign (not cancerous). Benign breast tumors do not spread outside of the breast and are not life threatening. Other tumors are malignant (cancerous) and may become life threatening.

If a man notices any persistent changes to his breast/s, he should contact his doctor. Here are some signs to watch for:

• A lump felt in the breast.


• Nipple pain.


• An inverted nipple.


• Nipple discharge (clear or bloody).


• Sores on the nipple and areola (the small ring of color around the center of the nipple).


• Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm.

It's important to note that enlargement of both breasts (not just on one side) is usually NOT cancer. Earlier diagnosis could make a life-saving difference. With more research and more public awareness, men will learn that—just like women—they need to go to their doctor right away if they detect any persistent changes to their breasts.