What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer definition:Breast cancer is cancer that develops in the breast tissue, usually in the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) or lobules (glands that make milk). Although male breast cancer is rare, breast cancer can occur in both men and women.

Relatedsearches

Symptoms of breast cancer include:

1. Breast lump
2. Change in breast size or shape
3. Dimpling or thickening of breast tissue
4. Inverted nipple
5. Nipple rash
6. Discharge from the nipple
7. Swelling or lump in the armpit
8. Persistent breast pain or discomfort
9. Redness of the skin
10. Thickening of the skin

If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor. But remember, other conditions can cause these symptoms.

Relatedsearches

The Cancer Statistical Center pointed out that the number of new breast cancer cases in 2024 is soaring, which is indeed worrying.

Example: John (pseudonym), who is generous and fat, also pays attention to the relevant news reports. After dinner that day, he talked to his wife about the report on TV and lamented the frequent occurrence of the disease. His hand accidentally touched his chest and suddenly felt a little swelling on the left side, which seemed to be more obvious than the right side. He felt strange, but then laughed at himself for catching wind and shadows. How can men get breast cancer?

   In fact, men can also get breast cancer, but the situation is not common. Currently, there are more than 4,000 new cases of breast cancer each year, and more than 40 of them are men. The course and symptoms of male and female breast cancer are very similar. Data show that about 20% of male breast cancer patients have direct relatives who have had breast cancer, and men with BRCA2 gene mutations have a 60 times higher risk of breast cancer than ordinary men! In the past, it was observed that among the survivors of the atomic bomb explosion, patients who had received chest radiotherapy also had a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. In addition, for men who have a high-fat diet for a long time, fat will be converted into substances similar to female hormones after being absorbed by the body, increasing the risk of breast cancer. Many international studies have found that obesity, lack of exercise and alcoholism are high-risk factors for breast cancer.

   Some situations, such as genetic factors, may not be within our control, but improvements in lifestyle habits can and should be done. After middle age, the risk of cancer will inevitably increase. To prevent it, John (pseudonym) can consider slightly increasing the amount of exercise and slightly reducing fatty foods, and the risk of cancer will naturally decrease.

Signs and symptoms of male breast cancer include:

• A painless lump or thickening of the skin on the chest.
• Changes in the skin on the chest, such as dimpling, wrinkling, scaling, or discoloration.
• Changes in the nipple, such as discoloration, scaling, or the nipple starts to turn inward.
• Discharge or bleeding from the nipple.

Causes：

  It is not known what causes male breast cancer.

  Male breast cancer occurs when the DNA of cells in breast tissue changes. The DNA of cells contains instructions that tell the cells how to work. The DNA in healthy cells tells the cells to grow and multiply at a set rate. These instructions tell the cells to die at a set time.

  So because the DNA in cancer cells changes, it gives different instructions. These changes tell the cancer cells to make more cells quickly. The cancer cells can continue to live while healthy cells die. This can lead to an overabundance of cells.These cancer cells may form a mass, called a tumor. Tumors can grow, invade, and destroy healthy body tissue. Over time, cancer cells may break off and spread to other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is called metastatic cancer.

Why men get breast cancer

 Everyone is born with a small amount of breast tissue. Breast tissue is made up of milk glands, ducts that carry milk to the nipple, and fat.

 During puberty, people born female usually start to grow more breast tissue. People born male usually do not grow more breast tissue. But because everyone is born with a small amount of breast tissue, anyone can get breast cancer.

Types of male breast cancer include:

 Cancer that starts in the milk ducts, called ductal carcinoma. This type of breast cancer starts in the tubes that connect to the nipple. These tubes are called ducts. Ductal carcinoma is the most common type of male breast cancer.

 Cancer that starts in the milk-producing glands, called lobular carcinoma. This type of cancer starts in the glands that make breast milk. These glands are called lobules. Lobular carcinoma is less common in people born male because men usually have fewer lobules.

Other types of cancer. Other, rarer types of male breast cancer include Paget's disease of the nipple and inflammatory breast cancer.

Risk factors：Factors that may increase the risk of male breast cancer include

Older age. The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Male breast cancer is most often diagnosed in men over 60.

Prostate cancer Hormone therapy or estrogen-containing medicines. Men who take estrogen-related medicines, such as hormone therapy medicines for prostate cancer, have a higher risk of breast cancer.

A family history of breast cancer. Men who have close relatives with breast cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease.

Inherited DNA mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer. Certain DNA mutations that cause breast cancer can be passed from parents to their children. People who are born with these DNA mutations have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. For example, DNA mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer in men include BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Testicular dysgenesis syndrome. This inherited syndrome occurs when a boy is born with more than one X chromosome. Testicular dysgenesis syndrome affects the development of the testicles, causing a hormone imbalance in the body and increasing the risk of breast cancer in men.

Liver disease. Certain liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, can cause a hormone imbalance in the body that increases the risk of breast cancer in men.

Obesity. Obesity is associated with higher levels of estrogen in the body, which can increase the risk of breast cancer in men.

Testicular disease or surgery. Inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) or surgical removal of the testicles (orchiectomy) can increase the risk of breast cancer in men.

Prevention

There is currently no way to prevent breast cancer in men. But for people who are at high risk for cancer, there are ways to lower your risk.

Family history of breast cancer. Certain DNA mutations are linked to breast cancer. If you have a family history of DNA mutations, you may have an increased risk of breast cancer. DNA mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer in men include BRCA1 and BRCA2.

If you have a blood relative who carries a DNA mutation associated with breast cancer, tell your doctor or other health care professional. You can decide whether to get a genetic test to see if you also carry these DNA mutations.

If you carry a DNA mutation that increases your risk, you may need to be screened for breast cancer. This usually involves checking the skin and tissue in your breasts. Tell your health care professional if you notice any changes. You can also get a chest exam once a year.

Transgender men. If you haven't had gender-affirming surgery on your breasts, ask your doctor or other health care professional about breast cancer screening. In general, follow the screening guidelines for people who were assigned female at birth.

If you've had gender-affirming surgery on your breasts, you may still get breast cancer, although the chance is low. There is usually a small amount of breast tissue left after surgery. Look and touch to get a feel for how your breasts look and feel. Tell your health care team right away if there are any changes

Thank you for watching and reading, I wish you good health