Breast cancer is a disease in which breast cells multiply uncontrollablyand in the case of Mexico, this type of cancer is the leading cause of death in women aged 25 and over, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
However, although rare, men can also have this disease, since they also have breast tissue. Also, it’s important to know that there are many types of breast cancer, although some are rare.
To give us an idea of the frequency of cases in men, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that about 1 in 100 cases in the United States is diagnosed in a man.
Symptoms of breast cancer in men
Among the most common symptoms are the finding of a lump or inflammation in the breast, scaly or reddened skin of the breast, irritation or dimpling of the skin of the breast, discharge from the nipple, as well as sinking of the nipple or pain in that area .
How is it diagnosed?
This disease in men can be diagnosed using various tests to examine the breasts. Among the most common are the application of physical examination and health history, in which the general state of health is reviewed and any signs of disease, such as masses or anything else abnormal, are identified.
You can also apply a clinical breast exam in which the doctor will carefully feel the breasts and the area under the arms to look for masses.
Diagnosis may also include a mammogram (x-ray of the breast) as well as an ultrasound, a procedure in which high-energy sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs to produce echoes.
Biopsy also works to diagnose breast cancer. This is the removal of cells or tissues so that a pathologist can look at them under a microscope and check for signs of cancer.
Treatment for breast cancer in men
The treatment of breast cancer in men depends on how big the tumor is and how far it has spread, just as in the case of women.
There are five types of standard treatment for men with this diseaseaccording to the National Cancer Institute: surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.
To reduce the risk of breast cancer in men, it is important for the family doctor to know if there are family members who have suffered from this disease and to monitor it. You can also lower your risk by maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active.