Fast Facts: Yes, Men Can Get Breast Cancer

• While still rare, male breast cancer rates are rising.
• Early detection stops cancer from spreading and saves lives.
• Warning signs include a lump in your chest, dimpling of the skin and nipple pain.
• Reduce your risk with genetic testing and screening.

While male breast cancer is rare – the majority of cases are in women – it’s possible for men to get the disease. And while the breast cancer might not have been on your radar, cases in men (for the purposes of this article meaning people assigned male at birth) are on the rise.

Early detection can catch the disease in its early stages and save your life. Stay safe by learning early warning signs and when to see your doctor.

Male Breast Cancer Symptoms

The most common symptoms of breast cancer in men are similar to those in women and include:

• An often-painless lump or firm mass in the chest or armpit.
• Irritation, flakiness, redness or dimpling of chest skin.
• Nipple pain, redness, discharge or retraction.
• Change in chest shape or size.

If you notice a lump or change in the appearance of the skin on your chest, book a visit with your doctor. These symptoms are common for other conditions as well as breast cancer. Your doctor can perform an exam and order tests to rule out a breast cancer diagnosis.

Male Breast Cancer Versus Gynecomastia

Breast cancer isn’t the only reason you may develop a lump in your chest. Gynecomastia, or a harmless increase in male breast tissue, can also cause lumps.

Gynecomastia is more common than breast cancer and can cause enlargement of both breasts, instead of just one. However, if you notice swelling it’s important to still get screened.

Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

Like risk factors for women, male breast cancer risk factors include a family history, genetic mutations, obesity and being 50 or older. Reduce your risk with:

• Genetic counseling — If you have a family history of breast cancer, you can get genetic testing to find out if you have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation and how to detect cancer early.
• Physical activity — The American Cancer Society recommends 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity exercise per week, like a brisk walk or playing a sport.
• Limit or avoid alcohol — Alcohol has been linked to the development of breast cancer. Men should aim reduce alcohol to two drinks per day or less.

The bottom line? Screening can save your life. Because men often have less breast tissue, even small lumps can grow outside the chest. If you think you might have a lump, sign in to My Health Online and schedule a visit with your doctor.