Breast Cancer In Men: Symptoms Of The Disease, And How It Can Be Treated

Symptoms in males are nearly identical to cases in females. Any ulcerative lesion over the nipple which is not healing or a feeling of a persistent hard lump in the chest area should not be ignored

By Dr Kapil Goyal

Breast Cancer is one of the most commonly occurring and relatively better-known forms of cancer. Despite the awareness levels, it is often wrongly perceived as a disease exclusively affecting women. Breast tissue is present in both genders and the disease has been found to affect men as well, though at a much smaller scale with up to one per cent of total breast cancer patients being male. Symptoms in males are nearly identical to cases in females. Any kind of ulcerative lesion over the nipple which is not healing or a feeling of a persistent hard lump in the chest area, are primary signs that should not be ignored. 

It is very important to note that the genetic component in male breast cancer is very high with as many as 20 to 30 per cent of cases being related to genetic mutations. Specifically, males coming from families with existing cases of male or female breast cancer are at a higher risk.  In such cases, the medical practitioner has to examine the family history, assess the risk of passing the mutation in the patients’ progenies, and carry out necessary genetic testing. Certain patients who are detected with BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutations are at a higher risk of developing male breast cancer.

Treatment For Breast Cancer In Men

The treatment of male breast cancer is similar to female breast cancer cases. The medical practitioner decides upon a suitable combination of surgery, hormonal therapy, radiation, and chemotherapy based on the case.

Care For Men With Breast Cancer

Patients come to us when they have some kind of ulcer near the nipples or a lump in the chest area that has been persistent. A positive side note is the fact that while in females a small lump may not be very noticeable, it is easily palpable in males thereby allowing for relatively early detection in males. 

So, men are advised to be equally aware of breast cancer and get themselves checked periodically and at the earliest if symptomatic.

{The author is a consultant of medical oncology at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute Research Centre (RGCIRC)}.

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