Male breast cancer is rising as experts urge early symptom checks

By Bilge Türk | MediCenter TV

ANTALYA, Türkiye — Breast cancer can also affect men, and experts warn that low awareness may cause symptoms to be ignored until the disease reaches a more advanced stage.

Prof. Dr. Alihan Gürkan from the General Surgery Department of Memorial Antalya Hospital said male breast cancer should be discussed more openly during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Although the disease is much more common in women, men may also develop breast cancer, and delayed medical evaluation can negatively affect treatment outcomes.

Male breast cancer should be part of awareness campaigns

Throughout October, pink ribbons, screening reminders and “early diagnosis saves lives” messages are widely shared. However, Gürkan said one important issue often remains in the background: breast cancer is not only a women’s disease.

Around the world, approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases occur in men. In Türkiye, national records are limited, but specialists estimate that around 200 to 250 new male breast cancer cases are diagnosed each year. Some hospital-based data suggest that the actual number may be higher.

The frequency of breast cancer in men has reportedly increased by 26% over the past 25 years. Gürkan said this trend makes awareness even more important, especially because many men still do not consider breast cancer a possible diagnosis.

Family history matters for men too

Because men have less breast tissue, a lump may sometimes be easier to notice. Yet many men delay seeking medical care because they believe breast cancer cannot happen to them or because they feel embarrassed about breast-related symptoms.

A hard lump in the breast or underarm, nipple retraction, discharge from the nipple, skin thickening, redness or visible changes in the breast area should not be ignored. Gürkan emphasized that these findings require medical evaluation.

Family history is also important. Men with first-degree relatives who have had breast or ovarian cancer may need genetic counseling and individual risk assessment. In men who carry a BRCA mutation, the risk of breast cancer may rise significantly. Families with a history of male breast cancer should also be evaluated more carefully, including women in the same family.

Diagnosis is often delayed

Male breast cancer is commonly diagnosed at a later stage compared with many female cases. This delay may be linked to low awareness, social hesitation, lack of routine screening and the mistaken belief that breast symptoms in men are harmless.

Late diagnosis can reduce treatment success. While survival rates are higher in early-stage tumors, outcomes become more difficult when the disease has spread regionally or metastatically.

Gürkan said awareness efforts should not focus only on increasing screening rates among women. Public health messages should also remind men that breast cancer can affect them and that early diagnosis can be life-saving.

Symptoms should not be neglected

Diagnosis in men usually begins with a physical examination. The most common finding is a painless hard lump, often under or near the nipple. Nipple inversion, nipple discharge, changes in the skin, swelling or a new underarm lump may also be warning signs.

If breast cancer is suspected, ultrasound and/or mammography may be used. For a definitive diagnosis, a tissue sample is taken through fine-needle aspiration or core biopsy, often guided by ultrasound or mammography.

Biopsy results help determine the tumor type, hormone receptor status and HER2 status. If needed, lymph node evaluation, further imaging and genetic testing may be added to the diagnostic process. These steps help doctors plan treatment according to the stage and biological features of the tumor.

Men at higher risk need closer evaluation

Men with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer should be referred for genetic counseling and risk assessment. This is especially important when cancer has occurred at a young age, when multiple relatives have been affected, or when there is a known male breast cancer case in the family.

Risk evaluation is not only important for the male patient. It can also guide risk assessment for female relatives and help determine whether closer follow-up is needed within the family.

Gürkan advised men to pay attention to changes in their own bodies and seek medical care without delay if they notice a new lump, nipple change, discharge or skin abnormality. Early evaluation does not mean every symptom is cancer, but it allows serious conditions to be ruled out or diagnosed in time.

Surgical treatment is similar to women’s treatment

When surgery is required, the approach is largely similar to breast cancer surgery in women. However, because men have limited breast tissue and tumors are often located close to the nipple, the most common surgical method is removal of the breast.

In this procedure, breast tissue is removed together with the nipple and surrounding area. Lymph node sampling may be performed to evaluate the underarm region. If lymph node involvement is found, further underarm surgery may be required.

In selected early-stage cases, breast-conserving surgery may also be possible if the tumor size and location are suitable. In such cases, radiotherapy is usually recommended after surgery.

After the operation, additional treatment is planned according to the stage of the disease and tumor characteristics. Hormone therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be included in the treatment plan when needed.

Gürkan said the most important message is that men should not ignore breast symptoms. Recognizing that breast cancer can occur in men may help reduce delays in diagnosis and improve the chances of successful treatment.

MediCentertv.com