Male breast cancer represent less than 1% of all breast cancer.
Male carriers of BRCA2 mutation have a lifetime 6% lifetime risk of breast cancer which significantly increases their risk in comparison to general population.
Risk factors fore male breast cancer 1) Being exposed to radiation.2)Having a disease linked to high levels of estrogen in the body, such as
cirrhosis (liver disease) or
Klinefelter syndrome (a genetic disorder.) 3)Having several female relatives who have had breast cancer, especially relatives who have an alteration of the BRCA2 gene.
The survival rates and prognoses for men is not as good as it is for women. Men have a 25 percent higher
mortality rate than women. This is believed to be due in part to men getting diagnosed with later stage disease.
The treatments for breast cancer in men are similar to those of women, with the exception of surgical options. Given breast volume and tumor location, the standard of care for men is to have
mastectomy surgery, rather than
lumpectomy. Male breast cancers are usually hormone receptor positive tumors and hormonal therapy is also commonly part of the systemic treatment.
Genetic testing should be considered for men who develop breast cancer.