Site Logo Site Logo
Donate HOPE Kits
  • About Breast Cancer
  • Find Support
  • Get Involved
  • More
    • Our Impact
    • About NBCF
    • Free Resources
    • NBCF Blog
    • Mammogram Pledge
    • In The News
    • Recursos en Español
    • Contact Us
Site Logo
  • About Breast Cancer
  • Find Support
  • Get Involved
  • More
    • Our Impact
    • About NBCF
    • Free Resources
    • NBCF Blog
    • Mammogram Pledge
    • In The News
    • Recursos en Español
    • Contact Us
Donate HOPE Kits

About Breast Cancer > What is Breast Cancer? > Male Breast Cancer

  • What is Breast Cancer?
    • What Is Cancer?
    • Causes of Breast Cancer
    • Breast Cancer Facts & Stats
    • Breast Tumors
    • Breast Anatomy
    • Male Breast Cancer
    • Growth of Cancer
    • Risk Factors
    • Breast Cancer Genetics
      • Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer
      • Other Breast Cancer Genes
      • BRCA: The Breast Cancer Gene
      • What To Do If You Tested Positive
  • Early Detection
    • Breast Cancer Symptoms and Signs
    • Breast Lump
    • Breast Pain
    • Breast Cyst
    • Breast Self-Exam
    • Clinical Breast Exam
    • Mammogram
    • How to Schedule a Mammogram
    • Healthy Habits
  • Diagnosis
    • Diagnostic Mammogram
    • Ultrasound
    • MRI
    • Breast Biopsy
    • Lab Tests
    • Waiting For Results
  • Stages
    • Breast Cancer Stages
    • Stages 0 & 1
    • Stage 2 (II) And Stage 2A (IIA)
    • Stage 3 (III) A, B, And C
    • Stage 4 (IV) Breast Cancer
  • Types of Breast Cancer
    • Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
    • Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
    • Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)
    • Invasive Lobular Cancer (ILC)
    • Triple Negative Breast Cancer
    • Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)
    • Metastatic Breast Cancer
    • Breast Cancer During Pregnancy
    • Other Types
  • Treatment
    • Choosing Your Doctor
    • Surgery
      • Lymph Node Removal & Lymphedema
      • Breast Reconstruction
      • Lumpectomy
      • Mastectomy
    • Chemotherapy
    • Radiation Therapy
    • Hormone Therapy
    • Targeted Therapy
    • Metastatic Breast Cancer Trial Search
    • Standard Treatment vs. Clinical Trials
    • Physical Activity, Wellness & Nutrition
    • Bone Health Guide for Breast Cancer Survivors in 2022
    • Follow-Up Care
  • Breast Cancer Myths
    • Myth: Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer
    • Myth: Men do not get breast cancer; it affects women only
    • Myth: A mammogram can cause breast cancer or spread it
    • Myth: If you have a family history of breast cancer, you are likely to develop breast cancer, too
    • Myth: Breast cancer is contagious
    • Myth: If the gene mutation BRCA1 or BRCA2 is detected in your DNA, you will definitely develop breast cancer
    • Myth: Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer
    • Myth: A breast injury can cause breast cancer
    • Myth: Breast cancer is more common in women with bigger breasts
    • Myth: Breast cancer only affects middle-aged or older women
    • Myth: Breast pain is a definite sign of breast cancer
    • Myth: Consuming sugar causes breast cancer
    • Myth: Carrying a phone in your bra can cause breast cancer
    • Myth: IVF increases the risk of breast cancer
    • Myth: All breast cancers are the same
    • Myth: Bras with underwire can cause breast cancer
  • FAQs
    • Can physical activity reduce the risk of breast cancer?
    • Can a healthy diet help to prevent breast cancer?
    • Does smoking cause breast cancer?
    • Can drinking alcohol increase the risk of breast cancer?
    • Is there a link between oral contraceptives and breast cancer?
    • Is there a link between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and breast cancer?
    • How often should I do a breast self exam (BSE)?
    • Does a family history of breast cancer put someone at a higher risk?
    • Are mammograms painful?
    • How does menstrual and reproductive history affect breast cancer risks?
    • How often should I go to my doctor for a check-up?
    • What kind of impact does stress have on breast cancer?
    • What celebrities have or have had breast cancer?
    • Where can I find a breast cancer support group?
    • Can breastfeeding reduce the risk of breast cancer?
    • Is dairy (milk) linked to a higher risk of breast cancer?
    • Is hair dye linked to a higher risk of breast cancer?
  • Free Educational Guides
    • NEW! How to Talk About Breast Health
    • Family Medical History Checklist
    • Healthy Recipes for Cancer Patients eBook
    • Breast Reconstruction Guide
    • eBook Quiz
    • Chemo Messages
    • Most Asked Questions About Breast Cancer Recurrence
    • Breast Problems That Arent Breast Cancer eBook
    • Nutrition Care for Breast Cancer Patients eBook
    • Finding Hope that Heals eBook
    • Dense Breasts Q&A Guide
    • Breast Cancer Recurrence eBook
    • What to Say to a Cancer Patient eBook
    • Weekly Healthy Living Tips
    • Bra Fit Guide
    • Know the Symptoms Guide
    • Breast Health Guide
    • Mammogram 101 eBook
    • 3 Steps to Early Detection Guide
    • Abnormal Mammogram eBook
    • Healthy Living & Personal Risk Guide
    • What Every Woman Needs to Know eBook
  • Breast Cancer Resources

Male Breast Cancer

All people, whether male or female, are born with some breast cells and tissue. Even though males do not develop milk-producing breasts, a man’s breast cells and tissue can still develop cancer. Even so, male breast cancer is very rare. Less than one percent of all breast cancer cases develop in men, and only one in a thousand men will ever be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. Men carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment. The majority of men diagnosed are over the age of 50.


Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma

Of the men who develop breast cancer, the vast majority of those cases are Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), which means cells in or around the ducts begin to invade surrounding tissue. Very rarely, a man might be diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer or Paget disease of the nipple, which is Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) contained within the nipple and usually areola.


Risk Factors

  • Radiation exposure
  • High levels of the hormone estrogen
  • Family history of breast cancer, especially breast cancer that is related to the BRCA2 gene.

Signs & Symptoms

Male breast cancer can exhibit the same symptoms as breast cancer in women, including a lump. Anyone who notices anything unusual about their breasts, whether male or female, should contact their physician immediately.

Most men find their own lump while in the shower and it is usually located underneath the nipple and areola. It is common for men to delay reporting the lump to a physician which can result in the patient requiring more treatment.

Nearly all breast cancer in men is estrogen receptor positive with treatment including hormonal therapy, just as it does for 70% of women. Survival rates and treatment for men with breast cancer are very similar to those for women. Early detection of breast cancer increases treatment options and often reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer.


Genetic Testing

Although treatment outcomes are very similar to women at the same stage of detection, a man diagnosed with breast cancer should also consider seeing a genetics counselor for a consultation. If a man tests positive for a defective gene (most commonly either BRCA1 or BRCA2) that can lead to a future diagnosis of breast cancer and his children have a 50% chance of carrying the gene. In addition:

  • A male child of a man with breast cancer who inherits the defective BRCA2 gene has only approximately 6% chance of eventually developing breast cancer and just over 1% with BRCA1.
  • A female child of a man with breast cancer who inherits the defective gene has a risk between 40% and 80% of eventually developing breast cancer.
  • Men with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer (carrying BRCA2 gene mutation) are also at higher risk of getting prostate cancer at a younger age than usually diagnosed, as well as being at higher risk for melanoma and pancreatic cancer.

Material on this page is courtesy of:

  • American Cancer Society
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • Journal Of The National Cancer Institute
  • Journal Of Clinical Oncology

Medically Reviewed on April 15, 2020


Related reading:

  • What Is Cancer?
  • Causes of Breast Cancer
  • Breast Cancer Facts & Stats
  • Breast Tumors
  • Breast Anatomy
Genetic Testing for…
Breast Anatomy
National Breast Cancer Foundation Logo
Join the Cause:

ABOUT BREAST CANCER
  • What Is Breast Cancer?
  • Early Detection
  • Diagnosis
  • Stages
  • Types of Breast Cancer
  • Treatment
  • Breast Cancer Myths
  • Breast Cancer FAQs
  • Free Educational Guides
  • Breast Cancer Resources
FIND SUPPORT
  • National Mammography Program
  • Patient Navigator Program
  • HOPE Kit
  • Metastatic Breast Cancer Retreats
  • Breast Cancer Support Group
  • Breast Health Education
  • Breast Cancer Awareness in the Workplace
  • Breast Cancer Research
GET INVOLVED
  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • Give
  • Corporate Partnership
  • Fundraise
  • Charitable Partner Learning Center
  • Game Pink
  • NBCF Shop
  • Volunteer
  • Manage My Donation
ABOUT NBCF
  • The NBCF Story
  • Our Impact
  • Our Founder
  • Our Corporate Partners
  • People
  • Careers
  • Financial Reports
  • Contact Us
  • Media Inquiries
  • Sitemap
Charity Navigator Four Star v01 white
Great Nonprofits badge White 2022 v01
Guidestar 2023 white
Instagram social link Facebook social link YouTube social link Twitter social link LinkedIn social link
PO Box 676910, Dallas, TX 75267-6910
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Trademark Licensing
  • Contact Us
©2022 National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization with a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. All rights reserved. Site by GLIDE.

We use cookies on our website to personalize your experience and improve our efforts. By continuing, you agree to the terms of our Privacy & Cookies Policies.

I Agree
I consent to the use of following cookies:
Cookie Declaration About Cookies
Necessary (0) Marketing (0) Analytics (0) Preferences (0) Unclassified (0)
Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.
We do not use cookies of this type.
Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user and thereby more valuable for publishers and third party advertisers.
We do not use cookies of this type.
Analytics cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously.
We do not use cookies of this type.
Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in.
We do not use cookies of this type.
Unclassified cookies are cookies that we are in the process of classifying, together with the providers of individual cookies.
We do not use cookies of this type.
Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. This site uses different types of cookies. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages.