Men are less likely to pay attention to the symptoms of breast cancer because they are less aware of the disease than women. This can be a difficulty in the early stages of diagnosis. Even in men, looking out for indications of breast cancer can aid in quick detection and treatment. It is therefore vital to raise knowledge of breast cancer, its symptoms, and the risks connected with it. People who have a positive attitude toward cancer are more likely to seek expert care as soon as they notice obvious changes in their breasts. Because men have less breast tissue as compared to women, their cancer is likely to spread faster to other parts of their bodies, explains Dr. Suvadip Chakrabarti, a renowned breast cancer doctor in Kolkata.
Symptoms
Some signs that could indicate breast cancer and need seeking professional assistance include:
- A lump occurs in the breast
- Redness and retraction of the nipples
- Skin scaling on the breasts
- Nipple ulceration or discharge
- Breast discomfort
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Bone and joint pain
Being aware of these signs and symptoms can aid in early disease detection and save lives.
Causes
Excessive female hormone (oestrogen) levels in males compared to male hormone levels are thought to be a prevalent cause of breast cancer development (androgen). Breast cancer can be caused by a number of causes, while the specific reason is yet unknown.
Men over the age of 72 are more prone to develop this cancer due to environmental factors. Exposure to radiation, chemical solvents, alcohol intake, and a lack of physical activity are all possible causes of cancer, says the oncologist in Kolkata.
Genetic mutations have been demonstrated to influence the development of cancer. People who have a family history of this disease are more likely to get it if they are exposed to environmental factors.
Men with specific medical disorders, such as obesity, diabetes, thyroid, or liver illness, are more prone to get breast cancer.
Diagnosis
If a person notices symptoms connected with the illness, they should see a doctor right away. The doctor investigates the patient’s medical history and any current medical conditions. The patient is next subjected to a complete physical examination. The following tests are used to diagnose breast cancer in men:
- Ultrasound
- Mammogram
- Biopsy
A nipple discharge test may be used by the doctor in some situations to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Once cancer has been diagnosed, a breast cancer specialist can choose one of the numerous treatment options. Treatment is determined by how far cancer has progressed.
Breast cancer surgery entails surgically removing the entire breast, a portion of the breast, or the lymph nodes surrounding the breast. After the excision of breasts, patients are given radiation therapy to get rid of any evident malignancy.
Chemotherapy can be beneficial if the cancer has advanced and spread to other places of the body. It’s also used to keep cancer from recurring in the body of the patient.
Targeted therapy is a relatively new type of cancer treatment that, unlike chemotherapy, does not affect the entire body but instead focuses on specific proteins linked to cancer development.
Hormone therapy works by lowering the oestrogen hormone’s action, which slows down the ageing process.
All of these treatment options are beneficial in the early stages of the disease. According to the breast cancer specialist, timely detection is important for patients because it gives them the best chance for successful treatment.