Men Can Get Breast Cancer and It Deserves More Awareness

During Super Bowl LIX, a breast cancer awareness ad sparked a surge in online searches for one important question Can men get breast cancer? While the commercial, featuring comedian Wanda Sykes, focused on encouraging women to get screened, it also served as a powerful reminder that breast cancer doesn't discriminate by gender.

Though male breast cancer is rare making up about 1 percent of all cases in the U.S., according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation it is very real. “I probably see a male breast cancer patient every month to every other month,” says Richard J. Bleicher, MD, chief of Breast Surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center. The low awareness surrounding male breast cancer often means it’s diagnosed later, making early education and vigilance even more critical.

Why Men Get Breast Cancer

While people assigned female at birth face a higher risk due to estrogen and progesterone, men are not immune. Risk factors include:

• Aging

• Inherited genetic mutations (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2)

• Family history of breast cancer

• Prior chest radiation

• Hormone therapy treatments

• Health conditions like Klinefelter syndrome, liver disease, or obesity

Symptoms Men Should Watch For

Breast cancer symptoms in men often mirror those seen in women but tend to center around the nipple area, where male breast tissue is most concentrated. Key signs include:

• Nipple retraction or scaling

• A firm lump or swelling under the nipple or arm

• Nipple pain or bleeding

“Men should know what their breasts feel like,” says Janie Grumley, MD, director of the Margie Petersen Breast Center. “Any changes should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider.”

How Diagnosis Happens

Unlike women, men don’t undergo regular breast cancer screenings unless they are high-risk. Most diagnoses occur after a man notices something unusual. Detection usually involves:

• Physical exam

• Imaging like an ultrasound or mammogram

• A needle biopsy for tissue testing

Treatment and Prognosis

Male breast cancer treatments align closely with those for women, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. However, due to later diagnoses, male patients often face more advanced stages of the disease at discovery. Still, early detection greatly improves outcomes.

“If a man does feel a mass, it’s important to seek out help from a provider or specialist,” emphasizes Dr. Bleicher.

Raising Awareness Is Critical

Cultural perceptions that breast cancer is a "women’s disease" contribute to delays in diagnosis and treatment for men. Every individual, regardless of gender, should be educated about the symptoms and risks.

“Early detection is a game-changer,” says Dr. Grumley. Just as women are encouraged to monitor their breast health, men should feel empowered to do the same and to seek medical attention when something feels off.

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