What does breast cancer in men look like? Signs and symptoms to watch out for

Breast cancer are prevalent in women, but men can be at risk too

While we're all aware of the breast cancer risks in women, we often neglect the possibilities of breast cancer in men. Although rare, men can also develop cancerous breasts. Clinical evidence suggests that less than 1% of all breast cancers occur in men. About 2,650 men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and an estimated 530 men are expected to die from it. So, even if the chances are slim, there is no way one should strike out the possibility and should make oneself aware of the signs and symptoms of male breast cancer.

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Male breast cancer is most common in older men

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, "The risk for breast cancer increases with age." Most breast cancers are found after age 50, the health agency suggests. That said, regular breast screenings could be an efficient way to detect any signs of breast cancer risks in men.

Are there any symptoms to watch out for?

There are many signs of breast cancer in men. As per the American Cancer Society (ACS), below are some of the common symptoms of male breast cancer.

- A painless lump in one breast

- Nipple retraction, ulceration, and discharge

- Dimpling of breast

- Discoloration of the breast or nipple skin

While the above mentioned signs are the early warning signs of breast cancer, there are some signs that can tell that the cancer is spreading. Swelling in the lymph nodes, breast pain and bone pain can mean something more serious.

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What type of breast cancers can be diagnosed in men and how?

The CDC suggests three types of breast cancer that can be detected and diagnosed in men.

- Invasive ductal carcinoma: This type of breast cancer starts in the ducts and then grows outside the ducts into other parts of the breast tissues.

- Invasive lobular carcinoma: The cancer cells begin in the lobules and then spread to the closely-knitted breast tissues.

- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): These may lead to invasive breast cancer, since they're only in the lining of the ducts, and have not spread to other breast tissues.

Breast cancers in men and women can be diagnosed with the help of mammogram, ultrasound, a nipple discharge test or a biopsy. Regular self-examination of the breast can also help with diagnosis.

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Do genes play a role?

Breast cancer can also be an outcome of genetic mutations. A strong family history of breast cancer can increase a man's risk of developing the same condition. Men who inherit abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes may have an increased risk of male breast cancer. However, genetic mutations are not the only factor that could lead to breast cancer in men.

Treatment

Depending on the size of the tumour, the doctor is likely to suggest the treatments. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy are some of available treatments for breast cancer.

 

8 Health Tests That Every Man Should Perform

There are many things that can happen between visits to the doctor, and the fact that more than a few men tend to skip the recommended annual physical examinations reinforces the need to raise their awareness of their bodies. There is a possibility that you actually feel fine while your body undergoes dangerous changes, so it is important that you familiarize yourself with 8 simple tests you can do independently that will help you identify and prevent the development of various diseases.

1. Test the testicles

According to the cancer specialists, testicular cancer is most common among men aged 20-35, with about 120 new cases occurring each year. Because this is an uncommon disease, many men tend to ignore the various symptoms, while pre-screening can lead to preventive treatment that can cure 90% of the cases. Common symptoms of testicular cancer are lower back pain for no apparent reason or coughing up blood. 

2. Check for hair loss

Although the hairline sometimes retracts when age starts to work its magic, if your hair falls in patches and clumps when showering or brushing it, stress is probably the culprit. A male health expert, explains that stress hormones can cause white blood cells to attack hair follicles, leading to hair loss, and beyond the fact that massive hair loss is frustrating, chronic stress can increase the risk of heart disease and even reduce memory, which is why it is important not to ignore abnormal hair loss, and to take advantage of the different methods of relieving stress.
3. Check urine flow
If you experience difficulty when urinating, don’t just assume it’s a shy bladder, as this may be a sign of prostate cancer. This is because the prostate surrounds the upper part of the male urethra, so if it swells or grows, it may cut off the flow of urine, which disrupts the current and may make it difficult for you to urinate. Therefore, if you’ve noticed some difficulty when relieving yourself, you should see your doctor and get the necessary tests. 

4. Check the oral cavity and gums

Examination of the oral cavity

If you experience a bulge or sore growing on your gums, tongue or lips, which doesn’t disappear for a while, don’t assume that it’s just a canker sore, since there is a possibility that this is a symptom of oral cancer. Other symptoms that may occur with cancer are pain or bleeding in the affected area, pain that radiates to the ears and obstruction of speech or difficulty swallowing. Various studies have shown that oral cancer is twice as common in men as in women, so it is important to be alert, and if you notice an abnormal bulge, don’t hesitate to make a doctor’s appointment. Also, your dentist is also able to check for tumors and such during a routine dental exam.

Examination of the gums

Whenever you clean your teeth with dental floss, you should be vigilant and notice whether your gums are swollen, sore or bleeding, or if the gums have receded and reveal the root of the tooth. Don’t overlook these various signs, since gum disease is a serious risk to the health of men and can even serve as a warning of more serious health problems. Therefore, if your oral self-examination suggests gum disease, consult your dentist as soon as possible.

5. Chest examination

If you think that this type of examination is for women only, think again. Men’s chests also contain breast tissue which means they are also at risk for breast cancer. Dr. also points out the importance of self-examination of the male breast, also because breast cancer is more dangerous and fatal in men than in women, and also because early detection may increase the effectiveness of the treatment needed later.
The Dr. claims that the test is so simple, there is no justified reason to skip it; Once a month while showering, feel your chest and look for lumps or breast size changes. If you’ve identified anything suspicious, make an appointment and see your GP so that they’ll be able to refer you for further necessary tests. It is also important to note the importance of family medical history since one in five men with breast cancer has a relative who has had the disease in the past.

6. Check waist circumference

Fat belly works like a factory, and 24 hours a day it produces inflammatory juices that may increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Dr. adds that measuring the fat around the abdomen can be the most important test for men, and it can be done very easily. All you have to do is take a tape measure and measure the size of your lower abdomen - if the result is more than 37.5 inches, or 95 centimeters, you are at risk of developing serious health problems. You should repeat the test once a month and, if necessary, approach a nutritionist to help you build a nutrition plan that is best suited for you while incorporating physical activity as well.

7. Check your heart rate

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women, with men at a higher risk than women. A study has shown that 89% of sudden cardiac events, such as heart attacks, occur in men.
It turns out that a quick and simple self-examination can measure your heart health; you can take a pulse test at rest by placing your index and middle finger on the opposite wrist and measuring your pulse by counting for 10 seconds. After counting the number of beats, multiply the number obtained by 6. A healthy person should have a normal pulse rate of between 60 and 100, and any deviation beyond this range may indicate cardiovascular problems. You should also pay attention to the interval between beats, since irregular heart rate may indicate atrial fibrillation or other serious heart problems. Repeat this test at least once a month.

8. Take a count of your moles

Skin cancer is common in both men and women, with men at twice as much risk as women. Therefore, once a month be sure to perform a self-examination to look for new or older moles, which will allow you to detect early symptoms of possible cancer and receive the necessary treatment. If any mole has changed size, color, or has become irregularly shaped make sure you see a dermatologist as soon as possible.
Remember: these tests are designed to work hand in hand with professional treatment and not replace it! Check with your doctor and keep them informed of any unusual findings or significant changes in your body.  

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                      PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/   

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With Cancer, Timing Is Everything-BY Khevin Barnes

Khevin Barnes is a Male Breast Cancer survivor, magician and speaker. He is currently writing, composing and producing a comedy stage musical about Male Breast Cancer Awareness. He travels wherever he is invited to speak to (and do a little magic for) men and women about breast cancer. 

 

I had a family member who was diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer 20 years ago and died of the disease at the age of 47. Even though her symptoms appeared a year before her diagnosis with abdominal bloating, indigestion, loss of appetite and more, the cancer escaped detection. It took a full year of visits to several physicians before the unfortunate news was discovered.

Today the classic CA 125 blood test is available and works well for advanced ovarian cancers. In fact, around 90 percent of women with advanced ovarian cancer have elevated levels of CA 125 in their blood serum, making CA 125 a useful tool for detecting the disease after the onset of symptoms. It's important to note that the doctors recommend against women with average risk of ovarian cancer having routine CA 125 screening or other screening for this cancer since there is evidence that ambiguous test results are common. But in the case of my family member, it may have saved her life.

Timing, it seems, is everything where cancer is concerned.

It's heartening to observe how science scurries to keep up with cancer. According to the oncologists, there are well over 100 different cancer types. If we are lucky enough to be diagnosed at a time when a new "breakthrough" occurs with our particular cancer, our odds of survival may be enhanced.

My own breast cancer was discovered by luck, or should I say lucky timing. Before my first visit with my original primary care doctor in 2014, I had not seen a physician for any purpose for many years. My reason for the visit was simply to “check in,” to become "officially signed up" in the system and to meet the man who might be an important ally should I catch a bad flu or be stung by a jelly fish on the beaches.

By the time I left his office, he had me scheduled for a mammogram to check out a very tiny bump under my left breast. An ultrasound and needle biopsy followed, and before the month was over, I was in surgery, receiving my mastectomy for stage 1, grade 3 male breast cancer, perhaps saving my life.

Timing it seems, is everything where cancer is concerned.

Those of us who have been thrown into the cancer arena learn to keep a close eye on ourselves, our bodies and our symptoms. There's always a chance of cancer recurring.

But at the same time, I believe it’s a good idea to follow the science that occurs virtually every day somewhere in the world.

If you're "lucky" enough to have one of the five most common cancers, you can be certain that researchers are busy trying to unearth a cure for you. If you have fallen victim to an "orphan disease" like I have with male breast cancer, there is still plenty of reason for hope, but perhaps a little luck thrown in may be a good thing, too. Every time someone benefits personally from an innovation or improvement in the quest to rid our planet of cancer (and I'm speaking of all 100 of them), each of us is advancing the whole team, the entire multitude of survivors who, like us, hope to cash in on some good fortune and perhaps some very good timing.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.    
 
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Male breast cancer, it is true and does happen, be aware

If pink ribbon is to bring about awareness about breast cancer in women, the ribbon is to talk about breast cancer in men. Since it’s an uncommon disease, men may ignore the warning signs and also delay in seeing a doctor.

In 2017, about 2,470 men are estimated to be diagnosed with the disease and about 460 men will die from breast cancer as per a statistics. Besides this, there are studies which show that one in 400 men is at high risk of contracting the disease. 

A scholar says, “In most of the cases, breast cancers in men are diagnosed at more advanced stages than women. Men may not notice breast lumps or else they see their doctor only when the lumps have become large. Early detection and prompt treatment are the best strategies to reduce the number of male breast cancer cases. Hence, it is always recommended to invest in prevention as it can help with early diagnosis of the health problems that may become serious at later stages”.

Symptoms to watch for:
A lump in the breast is a most significant indicative factor. As men possess a small and flat breast tissue, identifying a lump becomes easy. Also, there may be an occurrence of one or more symptoms like dimpling and scaling of skin surrounding the breast area or nipple, nipple pain and discharge, sores around the nipple, under arm enlargement of lymph nodes and areola region. In exceptional cases like enlargement of breasts in men called ‘gynecomastia’, it may lead to breast cancer.

 Treatment
In the initial stages, when the disease has a presence only in the breast or armpit, (stage I and II) surgery comes into play, which includes complete removal of the breast area with a clearance of the lymph nodal area in order to form the mainstay of treatment.

To restrain the recurrence, the patient may have to go through radiation, chemotherapy or both, depending upon the stage of the disease. Undergoing hormonal therapy often helps in curbing the disease for long. Subsequent to these extensive treatments, patients are given anti-hormonal drugs to help them recover with the after-effects of surgery and radiation therapy.

Risk factors for breast cancer in men
    Genetics doesn’t play a big role in breast cancer in women, but it does in men. Genetic deviation like Klinefelter Syndrome elevates estrogen levels in men
    Orchitis, an inflammation of the testicles increases the risk
    Obesity due to unhealthy dietary habits
    Chronic alcoholism/Smoking
    Habitual of consuming hormonal medicines or herbal supplements
    Previous radiation treatment to the chest
    If a family has a history of breast cancer then the risk of occurring stands high in a person since they may inherit either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
    Individuals (especially youngsters) who go through radiation therapy for conditions like Hodgkin’s disease need to be more cautious as the chances of developing breast cancer are high.
    Preventive Measures for breast cancer
    There are a number of things men can do to lower the risk of breast cancer which includes:
    Maintaining an ideal body weight
    Regular exercise
    Healthy and balanced diet
    Restricting smoking and alcohol consumption

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   
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Breast cancer in men may take aggressive turn, warn experts

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.

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 Men, too, suffer from breast cancer! Although just 1 per cent males have been reported with breast cancer so far, experts warn that once it comes up, it will be more aggressive than any other form of cancer. The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) started observing February 4 as the World Cancer Day to help save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer, and pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action against the disease. It is observed in almost the entire world as an annual event. “Cases of breast cancer have started showing up although the number is less but this form of cancer is going to be more aggressive as it will also be linked with chest cancer when related to males,” said Dr Harish Matta, head of the oncosurgery department at Fortis Hospital. Dr Matta said: “It is easy to detect breast cancer in males as the lump is easily visible than in females and the breast has small tissues as compared to females.”