Breast cancer in men

Breast cancer affects men as well as women, but is much rarer with around 300 men being diagnosed in the UK every year, compared with more than 45,500 cases in women.

Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are very similar to women with breast cancer.

Risks and causes

As with women, the single biggest risk factor is getting older and most cases are diagnosed in men between the ages of 60 and 70.

Other risk factors are

• High oestrogen levels
• Exposure to radiation
• A family history or recognised breast cancer gene in the family
• A rare genetic condition called Klinefelter's syndrome

High oestrogen levels are linked to obesity. So it may help to reduce your risk if you maintain a healthy body weight through exercise and a balanced diet.

Symptoms

The most common symptom for men with breast cancer is a lump in the breast area, but there may be other symptoms such as discharge from the nipple, swelling of the breast, a sore on the breast that won't heal, or lumps under the arm.

Find out more about breast cancer symptoms.

Finding support

As male breast cancer is rare, coping with the disease can be particularly difficult. It may feel confusing and isolating because it is so common to hear about breast cancer in women.

Men with breast cancer are often treated in specialist centres where there is expertise on dealing with the disease. Your consultant may also be able to put you in touch with other men who have breast cancer.

If you or someone you know is suffering from breast cancer, visit our patient information site CancerHelp UK for detailed information about breast cancer and where to find support.

Join the fight to beat breast cancer

Your support is vital in helping us continue to make progress and find new ways of treating and preventing breast cancer. Make a donation or organise your own fundraising activity to raise money for us.

We've got some great tips for fundraising with the guys too.