Male Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Men

Male breast cancer is a rare disease that forms in the breast tissue of men. While breast cancer is often associated with women, men also have breast cells and tissue that can develop into cancer. It most commonly affects older men, though it can occur at any age.

Because men have very little breast tissue, it is often easier for patients or clinicians to feel small lumps. However, because many men do not realize they can develop the disease, diagnosis is sometimes delayed until the cancer has reached a more advanced stage. Most cases are invasive ductal carcinoma, which begins in the ducts that carry milk to the nipple.

“Men have breast tissue too — it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. But because breast cancer is seen as a ‘women’s disease,’ men often delay getting checked,” breast cancer survivor Jake Messier told CURE in 2025. “I waited four months after finding a lump, thinking, ‘It can’t be that.’ Many men wait even longer — and by then, it’s often advanced.”

Diagnosis

The diagnostic process typically begins when a patient or doctor identifies a lump, usually located directly under or near the nipple and areola.

• Clinical Breast Exam: A healthcare provider feels the breast and surrounding areas for lumps or changes in size and texture.
• Imaging: A mammogram or ultrasound is used to create detailed pictures of the internal breast tissue to identify suspicious masses.
• Biopsy: This is the only definitive way to diagnose cancer. A needle is used to remove a small sample of tissue, which a pathologist examines under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present and to identify the specific type.
• Biomarker Testing: The lab will check if the cancer is fueled by hormones (ER-positive or PR-positive) or a specific protein called HER2. Most male breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive.

Treatment Options

Treatment plans are highly individualized and depend on the stage of the cancer and the results of biomarker testing.

• Surgery: The most common treatment is a modified radical mastectomy, which involves removing the entire breast, the nipple and some lymph nodes under the arm.
• Radiation Therapy: High-energy beams are used to kill any remaining cancer cells after surgery, particularly if the cancer was found in the lymph nodes.
• Endocrine (Hormone) Therapy: Since most male breast cancers are hormone-sensitive, drugs like tamoxifen are often prescribed to block hormones from reaching cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: These medications circulate throughout the body to destroy rapidly growing cells. This is typically used for higher-risk cases or if the cancer has spread to other organs.

Side Effects

Treatments are designed to eliminate cancer, but they can affect healthy cells, leading to various side effects.

• Surgical Effects: Patients may experience numbness in the chest or arm, as well as lymphedema, which is swelling in the arm caused by the removal of lymph nodes.
• Hormonal Therapy Effects: Tamoxifen can cause symptoms similar to those experienced during menopause, such as hot flashes, mood changes or decreased libido.
• Chemotherapy and Radiation: Common side effects include fatigue, skin irritation at the radiation site, nausea and temporary hair loss.

Conclusion

A diagnosis of male breast cancer can feel overwhelming, but medical advancements have led to highly effective treatments and improved outcomes. Open communication with an oncology team is the most important tool for navigating this journey.

Patients are encouraged to ask their doctors about the specific subtype of their cancer, the goals of each proposed treatment, and whether they should consider genetic testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, which can impact family members.

References

1. “TikTok Creator Breaks Stigma Around Male Breast Cancer,” CURE; https://www.curetoday.com/view/tiktok-creator-breaks-stigma-around-male-breast-cancer

Editor's note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, as your own experience will be unique. Use this article to guide discussions with your oncologist. Content was generated with AI, reviewed by a human editor, but not independently verified by a medical professional.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.