UNITED STATES, — October is the month designated to breast cancer awareness, but there is also another statistic that is often overlooked - men with breast cancer.
In fact, about one in every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States are found in a man.
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2024, they estimate nearly 3,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men, with more than 500 men expected to die from the disease.
Breast cancer is about 100 times less common in white men than in white women and about 70 times less common in black men than in black women, according to the report.
The risk for men depends on various factors. One significant factor is age—most men are diagnosed between the ages of 60 and 70. Family history also plays a role, with about one in five men with breast cancer having a close relative, male or female, who has had the disease.
Other risk factors include liver disease, obesity, radiation exposure and inherited gene mutations.
The signs and symptoms of breast cancer in men are similar to those in women. The most common symptoms include a lump in the breast, which may or may not be painful, nipple or breast pain, changes in the breast skin such as dimpling or redness and nipple discharge or inversion. Breast cancer in men is often detected as a hard lump under the nipple, commonly found while in the shower.
Early detection is critical. When caught early, the five-year relative survival rate for men with breast cancer is 95%.
While the cause of most breast cancers remains unknown, there are steps men can take to lower their risk, such as maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake and staying active.
If you have breast cancer or are close to someone who does, knowing what to expect can help you cope.