Breast Cancer is usually associated with women, and for good reason as the disease is most common in women, also the word breast itself is synonymous to women, their fertility and sexuality.
However...though rare in comparison to female cases, male breast cancer does exist.
According to the United States 2015 breast cancer statistics 2,350 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2015, while around 440 men will die from the disease.
So how is it possible for men to get breast cancer, when men aren't considered to have breasts as women do?
It's simply because men do have breasts just like women. More accurately, breast tissue.
Before puberty both sexes have a small amount of breast tissue, however, after puberty the female hormone from the ovaries cause the breast tissue in girls to grow progressively while the enter into womanhood, while boys grow into men with non-functioning breast tissue.
While male breast cancer is still being researched, there are risk factors that every man should consider.
RISK FACTORS OF MALE BREAST CANCER
- Age
courtsy healthymagazine.com
- Family History and Genetics
Men who have had family members who have suffered from breast cancer are at an increased risk of developing the disease. Especially if there are men in the family that have had breast cancer. According to the American Cancer society 1 of 5 men with breast cancer have a close female or male relative with the disease.
Men with genetic mutation are also at risk. Specifically those such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
- Obesity
courtesy gunnercooke.com
Men that suffer from obesity are also at risk for breast cancer, as obese men may carry higher levels of oestrogen.
- Alcohol Use
courtesy forbes.com
Men who drink heavily also develop an increased risk for breast cancer due to harmful effects on the liver, a damaged liver can lower male hormone levels increasing their susceptibility.
- Liver Disease
For the same reasons mentioned above, liver disease can increase a man's risk of breast cancer.
- Testicle Surgery or Testicle Disease
courtesy stpeterurology.com
Men who have had a testicle removed, or have suffered from inflammation of the testicles also develop a risk of suffering from breast cancer.
Read about more risk factors by clicking on the links below:
PECS ARE THERE FOR MORE THAN ADMIRING
Men are encouraged to the the male breast self-examination, especially if they have an increased risk of having breast cancer.
To see a video of the male breast self examination click the picture below:
courtesy skatelogforum.com
For more information on the Male Self Breast Examination click here.
It is advised that men should check their pecs for any lumps, the signs of breast cancer in women are similar to that of men. For more details click here.
SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR
PROBLEMS WITH EARLY DETECTION IN MALES
First of all men tend to not check their pecs for lumps this is one of the contributing factors to decreased detection of the early stages of breast cancer in men, also quite important is the fact that men are less likely to visit a doctor even if they may have a suspicion that something may be wrong...as a result male breast cancer is detected usually in its late stages where survival rates are significantly less.
The point of this post is to make everyone, especially men, keenly aware that breast cancer isn't just a woman's disease, there are people who have lost their fathers, brothers and uncles to breast cancer.
Remember to share the risk factors with the men in your life, and if they have an increased risk ensure that they get checked.
Fellas, if you've found a lump or have any of the warning signs mentioned above, don't ignore it, early detection is key in breast cancer survival.
Today is the last day in October, but breast cancer awareness doesn't end with the month. Keep reading and sharing and educating yourself and your loved ones.
Blessings to you and yours
#wadadlianstrong
© October 2015
