Male Breast Cancer

Symptoms of male breast cancer

• The first sign of male breast cancer is usually a lump in the breast that feels like a hard knot or pebble.

• While most lumps are not breast cancer, it is important to have any unusual changes to your breast, chest, or armpit checked by a doctor as soon as you can.

• The signs and symptoms of breast cancer in men to watch out for include:

  • A firm lump felt in the breast, often right under the nipple a lump in the armpit nipple pain nipple turning inward nipple discharge (clear or bloody) sores or a rash on the nipple, and areola (the dark area around the nipple) changes to the breast skin, such as irritation, redness, dimpling, or puckering change in the size or shape of the breast.

Some benign (non-cancerous) breast conditions in men are:

• Gynecomastia

  • Gynecomastia is an increase in the amount of breast tissue in males. It can involve swelling or overall enlargement of one or both breasts. Often, the first symptom is a lump of fatty tissue under the nipple that may be tender or sore. Gynecomastia can occur in male babies, boys going through puberty or adult men. It is typically caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. This imbalance can be due to normal changes in hormone levels or to other factors such as taking certain medicines, heavy alcohol use, marijuana use, weight gain, liver disease, or kidney disease. Gynecomastia is the most common non-cancerous breast condition in males. If a man has enlargement of both breasts (not just on one side) that is often a sign that he does not have male breast cancer and is more likely to have gynecomastia.

  • Benign (non-cancerous) breast lumps Men can develop other types of abnormal lumps or masses of tissue in the breast that are not cancerous and do not spread outside the breast. Some examples are lipomas (lumps of fatty tissue), cysts (fluid-filled sacs), hematomas (accumulations of blood), and fat necrosis (firm scar tissue). Again, be sure to see your doctor right away if you notice any abnormal change in the breast, chest, or armpit.