When you think about breast cancer, the first thought that likely comes to mind is how this disease affects women. However, the shocking truth is that men can get breast cancer, and it’s more common than you might imagine. The reality is that because of a lack of awareness, male breast cancer often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. Read on to learn about warning signs every man should know before it’s too late.

Why You Should Be Concerned

Most men don’t realise that they have breast tissue and that they can develop breast cancer. It may be rare, but when it happens, it’s usually severe. With less breast tissue than in women, cancer in men can spread more quickly to surrounding areas. This makes early detection a real lifesaver.

Could You Be at Risk?

You might not be aware of the risk factors until you start displaying symptoms. However, you need to be familiar with them, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer, a genetic predisposition (such as a BRCA2 mutation), or if you’ve undergone radiation therapy to the chest, your risk could be higher than you might think. Moreover, there are other factors influenced by age and lifestyle habits leading to hormonal imbalances, liver disease, or being overweight can also increase your risk.

Types of Male Breast Cancer

Male breast cancer is rare but can take several forms similar to those seen in women. The main types are:

• Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most common type in men. It can develop in the ducts and spread to other tissues.
• Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) – Rare in men, beginning in the lobules.
• Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) – Non-invasive cancer confined to the ducts, with the potential to become invasive.
• Paget’s Disease of the Nipple – A rare cancer that affects the nipple and areola.
• Inflammatory Breast Cancer – An aggressive form causing redness and swelling in the breast area.
• Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS) – A non-invasive condition signalling higher cancer risk.
• Sarcoma of the Breast – A rare cancer of the connective tissues, not arising from ducts or lobules.

Most male breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive (ER/PR), influencing treatment approaches. Understanding the type of breast cancer is important to determining effective treatments.

Why Acting Quickly Could Save Your Life

You might be tempted to delay a doctor’s appointment because you don’t think it’s a big deal. However, the painful truth is that male breast cancer spreads fast. And the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to treat, making early detection your best option to improve your chances of survival.

Access to quality healthcare and detecting male breast cancer earlier can give you a fighting chance. Treatment options like surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and even chemotherapy can significantly increase your chances of survival. Most importantly, that only works if you seek professional assistance when you notice that something’s wrong.

Getting a screening test is about saving your life, so when you see the warning signs, you should listen to your body. Even though the fear or stigma stops you from taking control of your health, male breast cancer requires urgent preventative measures to minimise the risk. The Affinity Health hospital and combined plans provide a Serious Illness Benefit to offer support when facing a life-threatening illness like cancer.