Can Men Get Breast Cancer?

While breast cancer more commonly affects women, it can happen in men, too. Here’s what to watch for.

Think breast cancer only affects men? Think again. “Because men have breast tissue, they can develop breast cancer, although it’s rare,” says Robin Skrine, MD, director of general and breast surgery at Geisinger Medical Center.

What is male breast cancer?

This rare type of cancer starts as a growth in male breast tissue. Both men and women are born with breast tissue. However, during puberty, women develop more breast tissue, while men don’t. But because men have this breast tissue, they can develop breast cancer.

“The main concern is that breast cancer in men is often diagnosed later than in women, because men tend to be less suspicious about a change or lump in their chest,” Dr. Skrine says. “That’s why it’s important to know your risk factors.”

What are the risk factors for male breast cancer?

Certain factors can increase a man’s risk of developing breast cancer. These include:

Age

Your risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. It’s most often diagnosed in men aged 60 or older.

Family history

You’re more likely to develop breast cancer if you have a family member who has (or had) breast cancer. Also, having a genetic condition, like a change in the BRCA2 gene, can increase your risk.

Obesity

Being overweight is linked to higher levels of estrogen in the body. Increased estrogen levels can increase your risk for developing breast cancer.

Taking estrogen-related drugs

Some drugs used for hormone therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer may increase your risk.

Klinefelter's syndrome

This genetic condition causes abnormal development of the testicles. Men with this condition produce more estrogen.

Liver disease

Certain conditions that affect the liver, like cirrhosis of the liver, can increase the amount of estrogen in your body. That excess estrogen can mean a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

“If you have any of these risk factors, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider to assess your risk,” says Dr. Skrine.

Identifying the symptoms

“Some men don’t even know they can develop breast cancer,” Dr. Skrine says. “Because of this, they may not notice a change in their ‘breast’ or chest area in the early stages, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.”

That’s why recognizing the signs matters.

Symptoms of male breast cancer include:

A (usually painless) lump in your breast, chest or underarm area, or thickening in your breast tissue
Dimpling, puckering or redness of the skin on your breast
Changes to your nipple, including redness, scaling or a rash
A nipple that begins to turn inward or discharge from the nipple

Like women, men are encouraged to perform regular breast self-exams to look for changes in the breast tissue.

What to do if you have symptoms

Having these symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you have breast cancer. But if you notice any of these signs, your healthcare provider can help determine next steps.

If you do need treatment, you and your provider will work together to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.