Male Breast Cancer – What you need to know

Both men and women are affected by breast cancer. However, the incidence is 100 times lesser in men. There is 1 in 1000 chances of a man developing breast cancer. This has remained unchanged for the last 30 years. In the US, nearly 2000 cases of breast cancer are reported in men. Men usually develop breast cancer in the later stages of life after 65 years of age.

The chances of survival for men in cases of breast cancer are similar to women who have been diagnosed when the disease was at the same stage. There is more probability of breast cancer being cured in men if it is discovered at an early stage. However, most men are not aware that they also have a risk of developing this cancer. Therefore, even when they notice a lump in their chest, they do not think about getting medical attention. As a result, it is common for breast cancer in men to be diagnosed in later stages.

There are a lot of similar features in male and female breast cancers, while some differences are apparent as well. Studies regarding these differences in the condition between women and men are still underway by researchers.

A major obstacle in conducting clinical research for the condition is that male breast cancer is quite rare. The advances in male breast cancer treatment can be attributed to the research done in female breast cancer.   Malecare is advocating for more male breast cancer research.