www.a1breastcancertips.com Breast cancer is a scary and frightening condition to have to face. There is no real way to avoid it and there is only a slight chance of reducing the risk of getting breast cancer later in life.

www.breastcancer-checks.betterguidetoyou.info Breast cancer definitions are disease that occurs due to abnormal growth in breast cells that attack the surrounding tissue

Abnormal cell growth patterns in the breast or cancer of the breast occurs mostly among females and is rare among males. It is estimated that for every 100 breast cases, one involves a male victim. The good news is survival rate of both male and female cancer patients has been increasing, especially if the malady is detected in its early stages.

For obvious reasons, cases of male breast cancer can be easily detected among men as they have lesser breast tissue mass compared to women. In a physical examination, the masses of tissue abnormally developing in male breasts could be easily detected. Nevertheless, the fact that the breast tissue among males is lesser also means that the cancer growth detected may have already spread to a wider area. Men are also more likely to ignore small chest lumps as early signs of the disease because of its rare occurrence among males and may only seek for a medical opinion when an abnormal tissue mass has considerably grown in size. There is also the macho factor wherein some men may show reluctance to have their breast lumps checked on some misguided concern that their masculinity could be put into question. This paradoxical situation is very similar to men who suffer from the more common male disorder called gynecomastia or male breast enlargement.

As indicated earlier, the signs of male breast cancer are also similar to those found among a female afflicted with the dreaded disease. Abnormal lumps appear in either of the breasts. Bleeding of the nipple may also be experienced, which indicate that the cancer may already have reached the lymph nodes, and wherein immediate medical intervention is needed. Another sign to look out for is an abnormality of the skin surrounding the area of the lump.

With breast cancer’s rarity among males, general screening of men for the disease isn’t usually practiced unlike among women who are advised to have yearly breast checkups after age 40. The cause for both cancers of the male and female breasts has not yet been fully established. For males, several risk factors have been identified. One is genetic, with some studies showing that males at risk are those who have several female family relatives afflicted with breast cancer. Other risk factors include exposure to radiation and high estrogen levels which may result from obesity and cirrhosis of the liver. Men with these high risk factors are often advised to undergo mammography and/or genetic testing. Other diagnostic methods include breast ultrasound and biopsy.

There are several steps that may go into male breast cancer treatment, and the specific method applied may depend on the type or stage of the disease. Mastectomy or removing the breast surgically, followed by radiation and chemotherapy are the ways of treating breast cancer. These procedures, essentially the same as those used in female sufferers, should be discussed closely between the doctor and the patient. Also up for discussion prior to actual treatment patient preparation for the treatment or operation, possible side-effects and the expected prognosis or outcome of the procedure.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barry_Lycka

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Though far less common than in women, men’s breast cancer is possible. According to the American Cancer Society, over 2000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, meaning men account for approximately 1% of all breast cancer cases diagnosed nationally. To gain more understanding about this lesser known male disease, take a look below.

Male Breast Cancer Symptoms

Though most lumps or changes in the breast for men are benign (not cancerous) abnormalities, men should still report any major changes, irritations or problems to their doctors as soon as possible.

The most common symptoms of breast cancer in men are actually quite similar to the symptoms for women. These include nipple inversion, detecting a lump, unexplained tissue growth, change in breast size, skin puckering or dimpling, nipple discharge, itchiness or redness.

Men generally have less breast tissue than women, making it much easier to detect lumps. However, this also means the cancer can spread to other parts of the body more quickly than in women. This is why early detection is so critical for men.

Contributing Factors for Men’s Breast Cancer

Elder Age

Most men diagnosed with male breast cancer are between the ages of 60 and 70.

Family History

Approximately 20 percent of men with breast cancer have one or more close family members who have or have had the disease.

Prior Radiation Exposure

Radiation exposure to the chest (for example, past treatment for lung cancer) can be a risk factor for the development of male breast cancer.

History of Liver Diseases

The liver works to regulate hormones, meaning men who have survived liver failure or liver disease often have lower levels of androgens, the male hormones. Those low levels can put them at a higher risk for developing breast cancer or non-cancerous tissue growth.

Estrogen Therapy

Often men who are being treated for prostate cancer are put on estrogen treatments to help control the disease. These men may be at a higher risk for developing breast cancer. That said, the American Cancer Society says those risks are small and worth the benefits of improved health for prostate cancer patients.

Klinefelter’s

Typically, men are born with one Y chromosome and one X chromosome. Klinefelter’s Syndrome is when a man is born with two or more X chromosomes (female chromosomes). Approximately 1 in 850 men were born with Klinefelter’s.

Men with this syndrome generally have lower levels of androgens and higher levels of estrogen and are therefore at a greater risk for developing male breast cancer.

How Breast Cancer in Men is Treated

Methods for treating men’s breast cancer include surgical removal of the tumor and any cancerous cells, chemo, radiation therapy, hormone therapy or a combination of all these treatments.

The survival rates for men with breast cancer often depend on the stage of the disease but range from 96% for stage I diagnosis to 24% for a stage IV diagnosis.

Men experiencing symptoms of breast cancer may be inhibited through embarrassment from requesting the assessment of a qualified physician. But given the severity of any type of cancer, the potential risk merits an extra effort to swallow one’s pride and make sure.

About the Author:For helpful information on various cancers – please visit cancerinfotips.com – a popular site providing symptom and treatment insights – such as men’s breast cancer – childhood osteosarcoma – and many more!
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – General Synopsis of Male Breast Cancer

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