Peter Criss, drummer of the band KISS, told Fox news in 2014: “You don’t need boobs to get breast cancer.” This legendary musician found a lump in his left breast after a workout in 2007. He survived, and since his successful surgery, has been an outspoken advocate for male breast cancer awareness.

You may be thinking: “Men don’t have breasts, so how can they get breast cancer?” Truth is, men do have a small amount of breast tissue. The “breasts” of an adult man are similar to the breasts of a young girl before puberty. In girls, this tissue grows and develops, but in men it doesn’t. But, because it is still breast tissue, men can get breast cancer.

So, how common is male breast cancer? Male breast cancer is rare, but shocking statistics from the Breast Health Foundation claim that South Africa has the highest male breast cancer rate in the world! Two out of every 100 South Africans that are diagnosed with breast cancer, are in fact men.

What is the outlook? Under a microscope, breast cancer is breast cancer. The outlook for breast cancer is not as good in men as in women. This is because there is reduced awareness of the condition and it may take longer to diagnose.

Sadly, the majority of male breast cancers are found in later stages of the disease. Why? There is no denying that breast cancer affects the lives of women more than men. It is no wonder that breast cancer information and campaigns are more tailored towards women than men. Just think of the good work and enormous success of the Pink movement! And yes, men are notorious for ignoring health problems, right? They put signs of the disease down to another cause and delay visiting their doctor. Also, due to the fact that male breast cancer is so rare, a lot of men don’t realise that it can affect them.

Would you believe that in a study, a staggering 43% of men said they would question their masculinity if they were diagnosed with breast cancer!  Due to the lack of awareness, men could feel ashamed to be diagnosed with an illness that is seen as feminine.

Who is at risk? Male breast cancer can happen to anyone at any time. That being said, the chance of a man getting breast cancer usually goes up with age – most cases of male breast cancer occur between ages 60 and 70. Other risk factors include:

• Breast cancer in a close female relative.
• History of radiation exposure of the chest.
• Obesity.
• Enlargement of breasts (called gynecomastia) from drug or hormone treatments.
• Taking oestrogen.
• A rare genetic condition called Klinefelters syndrome.
• Severe liver disease (called cirrhosis).
• Testicular dysfunction.

What should guys look out for?

• A lump, often painless, usually near the centre or close to the nipple.
• Nipple discharge, often blood stained.
• A tender, inverted nipple.
• Ulceration or swelling of the chest area.
• Occasionally, the lymph nodes under the arms may also be swollen.

Lifestyle changes, as with most cancers, could minimize your risk. So, follow a healthy diet, exercise, stop smoking, and use alcohol in moderation.

It is vital for men to be breast aware. Yes, male breast cancer is rare but the lack of awareness is hurting men.

So, get used to looking at and feeling your chest and under arms to help you notice any changes out of the ordinary. Early detection could save your life.

Source: www.philly.com, www.westerncape.gov.za, www.mdanderson.org, www.health24.com, www.timeslive.co.za, www.gq-magazine.co.uk, www.gems.gov.co.za, www.ehospice.com, nmmu.ac.za, www.menshealth.com, www.webmd.com, www.breastcancer.org, www.medicinenet.com, www.nhs.uk

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.