If you thought that breast cancer was predominantly a woman’s disease, here is a reality check. If you go by the medical literature one out of ten breast cancer patients is a man. City oncologists believe that though it affects women more than men, lack of awareness and late diagnosis leads to the severity of the disease. Studies show that men with mutation of the BRCA gene are more prone to developing breast cancer and also likely to develop prostate cancer.
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Though male breast cancer is a relatively rare cancer, it presents a similar pathology as female breast cancer and the assessment and treatment relies on experiences and guidelines that have been developed in female patients. Unlike breast cancer in women, in men the cancer is easily visible. “One should consult a doctor immediately if there is a lump or tumor in the breast. Any kind of ulcer or unhealed wound should be treated immediately,” says Dr Sanjay Sharma, Oncologist at the SL Raheja Hospital.
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A study done by the National University of Singapore revealed that men were more likely to have the disease that had spread beyond the breast by the time they were diagnosed. The data taken from the combined cancer registries from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Singapore and Geneva, Switzerland, showed that over the entire time period, men had a 72 percent chance of surviving breast cancer in the five years after a diagnosis, compared to 78 percent in women
Male breast cancer incidence is about 1% of all breast cancers in India. Though a population based data is not available, hospital-based data suggest that there are about 300-400 cases all over India. In USA, they register about 3000 new cases every year. “Men don’t have breasts, so it is neglected most of the times. It may occur in male breast tissue which is in very small quantity in males and is under developed. Its causes are estrogen induced stimulation in men who have family history or are obese or have certain conditions genetically causing excesses estrogen production, or cirrhotic points causing mild liver failure especially in alcoholics,” adds Dr Sharma.
Typically self-examination leads to the detection of a lump in the breast which requires further investigation. Other less common symptoms include nipple discharge, nipple retraction, swelling of the breast, or a skin lesion such as an ulcer. “The main challenge in male breast cancer cases is an early detection. The fear and hesitation in males to get examined is a cause of concern too,” concludes Dr Sharma.
Male breast cancer on the rise - Yahoo! Lifestyle India
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