When people hear the term breast cancer, they usually think of women. But men have breast tissue too—and though rare, they can develop breast cancer.
Because awareness is low and symptoms are often overlooked, men are typically diagnosed at later stages, when treatment is more complex.

This article explains everything you need to know about male breast cancer—how it develops, symptoms to recognize, risk factors, and modern treatment options that can save lives.

Understanding Male Breast Cancer

Both men and women are born with a small amount of breast tissue made up of ducts, fat, and connective tissue. In men, this tissue usually remains underdeveloped because they don’t experience the same hormonal changes women do during puberty.

However, under certain conditions—such as hormonal imbalance, genetics, or aging—these breast cells can grow abnormally and become cancerous.

Male breast cancer develops when cells in this small amount of breast tissue begin to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor that may spread to nearby tissue or other parts of the body.

How Common It Is

Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 2,800 men in the U.S. are diagnosed each year, and approximately 500 die from the disease.

While rare, these numbers highlight an important truth—early detection matters just as much for men as it does for women.

Men are typically diagnosed at an older age, usually between 60 and 70, and often at a more advanced stage because they may ignore or misinterpret symptoms.

Symptoms in Men

Because breast tissue is smaller in men, tumors are easier to feel and may spread more quickly to nearby tissues.
Common signs of male breast cancer include:

  • A painless lump or thickening near the nipple or under the areola

  • Nipple retraction (pulling inward)

  • Discharge from the nipple (clear or bloody)

  • Redness, flaking, or scaling of the nipple or breast skin

  • Swelling or a change in the contour of the chest

  • Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm

Any new lump or change near the nipple area should be checked by a healthcare provider, even if it seems minor.

Early Warning Signs

Men often ignore symptoms because they assume they can’t get breast cancer.
However, early warning signs may include subtle changes like:

  • Persistent itching or burning of the nipple

  • Slight skin puckering or dimpling

  • Crusting around the nipple

  • Unexplained tenderness or sensitivity

Recognizing these early changes can dramatically improve outcomes through timely diagnosis and treatment.

Causes and Risk Factors

No single cause leads to breast cancer in men, but certain biological and environmental factors can increase risk.

1. Age

Risk increases with age, particularly after 60, when hormonal balance shifts and cell repair slows down.

2. Hormonal Imbalance

Higher levels of estrogen or lower testosterone may contribute to abnormal cell growth. Conditions such as liver disease, obesity, or testicular disorders can raise estrogen levels.

3. Genetic Mutations

Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes significantly raise a man’s risk of developing breast cancer. BRCA2, in particular, plays a major role.

Men with BRCA2 mutations have up to a 6–8% lifetime risk, compared to only 0.1% in the general population.

4. Family History

Having a mother, sister, or daughter with breast or ovarian cancer increases a man’s risk two to threefold.

5. Radiation Exposure

Previous radiation therapy to the chest—such as for lymphoma—can damage breast cells and increase risk years later.

6. Klinefelter Syndrome

This rare genetic condition (XXY chromosomes) causes low testosterone and high estrogen, increasing breast cancer risk by 20–50 times.

7. Obesity

Fat tissue produces estrogen, and excess body fat raises estrogen levels in men, which can stimulate breast tissue growth.

8. Alcohol Use and Liver Disease

Chronic alcohol consumption and liver cirrhosis alter hormone metabolism, leading to higher estrogen levels and increased risk.

Types of Male Breast Cancer

Although rare, men can develop nearly all the same types of breast cancer as women. The most common are:

1. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)

Accounts for 85–90% of male breast cancers.
Starts in the milk ducts and spreads to surrounding tissues.
Usually presents as a firm, painless lump under or near the nipple.

2. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

A noninvasive form where abnormal cells stay within the ducts.
If untreated, DCIS can progress to invasive cancer.

3. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)

Rare in men since they have very few lobules (milk-producing glands).
When it occurs, it behaves similarly to IDC.

4. Paget’s Disease of the Nipple

Begins in the ducts and spreads to the nipple and areola, causing redness, itching, and flaking that mimics eczema.

5. Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)

Extremely rare but aggressive.
Causes swelling, warmth, redness, and skin dimpling rather than a distinct lump.

Diagnosis in Men

Because male breast cancer is uncommon, diagnosis often comes later—sometimes after the cancer has spread to lymph nodes.
Doctors use similar tools as they do for women:

Physical Exam

A doctor checks for lumps, skin changes, or enlarged lymph nodes.

Imaging Tests

  • Mammogram: Detects small tumors.

  • Ultrasound: Distinguishes solid tumors from cysts.

  • MRI: Provides detailed images of suspicious areas.

Biopsy

The definitive diagnostic step. A small tissue sample is examined under a microscope to confirm cancer type and receptor status.

Hormone Receptor and HER2 Testing

Determines whether the cancer is ER-positive, PR-positive, or HER2-positive, which guides treatment decisions.

Staging the Cancer

Staging for men follows the same system as women, based on tumor size (T), lymph node involvement (N), and metastasis (M):

  • Stage 0: Noninvasive; confined to ducts (DCIS)

  • Stage I: Small tumor, no lymph node spread

  • Stage II: Larger tumor or some lymph node involvement

  • Stage III: Locally advanced; spread to chest wall or multiple nodes

  • Stage IV: Metastatic; cancer has spread to distant organs

Early-stage male breast cancer is highly treatable, while advanced stages require a combination of therapies to manage the disease.

Treatment Options

Treatment for male breast cancer mirrors female breast cancer but is adjusted for anatomy and hormone differences.
Main approaches include:

1. Surgery

Because men have less breast tissue, mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) is the most common option.

  • Sentinel lymph node biopsy checks whether cancer has spread.

  • Axillary dissection may be done if lymph nodes test positive.

2. Radiation Therapy

Used after surgery to destroy residual cancer cells and reduce recurrence risk. Particularly helpful when the tumor was close to the chest wall.

3. Chemotherapy

Recommended when:

  • The tumor is large or aggressive

  • Lymph nodes are involved

  • The cancer is triple-negative or HER2-positive

Chemotherapy drugs travel through the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells throughout the body.

4. Hormone Therapy

Most male breast cancers are hormone receptor–positive, meaning they rely on estrogen to grow.
Drugs such as tamoxifen block estrogen’s effects and are highly effective in male patients.
Aromatase inhibitors may also be used but are less common.

5. Targeted Therapy

HER2-positive cancers respond to drugs like trastuzumab (Herceptin), pertuzumab (Perjeta), and ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla).
These drugs specifically attack HER2 receptors, slowing cancer growth with fewer side effects.

6. Immunotherapy

Emerging treatment for advanced or triple-negative male breast cancers.
Drugs like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Possible Complications

While treatments are effective, they can cause temporary or long-term side effects such as:

  • Fatigue

  • Hot flashes or sexual dysfunction (from hormone therapy)

  • Arm swelling (lymphedema) after lymph node removal

  • Skin irritation from radiation

Supportive care and physical therapy can help men manage these issues while maintaining quality of life.

Genetic Testing and Family Risk

Genetic testing is highly recommended for men diagnosed with breast cancer—especially if there’s a family history.

Why it matters

  • Identifies BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations

  • Helps family members understand their own risk

  • Guides preventive measures like earlier screenings or medication

Male relatives may also carry and pass these mutations, affecting both sons and daughters.

Prevention and Lifestyle Tips

While some risk factors (like genetics) can’t be changed, healthy habits can lower overall cancer risk.

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Reduce body fat to balance hormone levels.

2. Limit Alcohol

Even moderate drinking increases estrogen production and breast cancer risk.

3. Exercise Regularly

Physical activity regulates hormones and boosts immunity.

4. Avoid Hormone Supplements

Unless prescribed for medical reasons, avoid testosterone or estrogen treatments.

5. Manage Chronic Conditions

Treat liver or endocrine disorders promptly to prevent hormonal imbalance.

6. Perform Regular Self-Checks

Men should check their chest area monthly for lumps, skin changes, or nipple discharge.

Early detection is prevention’s strongest ally.

Living After Diagnosis

A breast cancer diagnosis can be emotionally challenging for men, who may feel isolated or embarrassed due to social stigma.
Support is vital—not just medical, but emotional and psychological.

Support options

  • Join male breast cancer support groups (online or local)

  • Seek counseling to manage stress and body image issues

  • Connect with oncology social workers for financial or emotional guidance

With modern treatments and awareness, most men go on to lead long, healthy lives after diagnosis.

Key Takeaways

  • Men can get breast cancer, though it’s rare.

  • Common signs include lumps near the nipple, nipple discharge, and skin changes.

  • Early detection and treatment significantly improve survival.

  • Men with BRCA mutations or family history should discuss genetic testing.

  • Awareness and regular checks save lives—regardless of gender.