Can Men Get Breast Cancer?

When breast cancer comes to mind, most people think of women. But all adults have breast tissue. And if you have breast tissue, you can develop breast cancer. 

Breast cancer in men is often found at a later, more advanced stage. There are many reasons for this, but one reason is that many men simply don’t realize it can happen to them. That means creating awareness around male breast cancer is key to better outcomes.

And a note before we go on: We recognize that sex and gender lie in a spectrum. And, much of the language here is centered on the terms men and women. Nevertheless, we want to emphasize that all people are welcome here and that we use the terms men and women to refer to people assigned male and female at birth.      

How common is breast cancer in men?

Male breast cancer is rare. But it still happens in about 1 out of 100 cases of breast cancer. When we think about percentages, that’s a pretty small number. But in total numbers, this means more than 2,000 men each year get breast cancer.

What are the most common types of male breast cancer?

There are many different types of breast cancer. It all depends on where the cancer started, how far it has spread in your body, and how it’s likely to behave in the future. 

Men and women can both get the same types of breast cancer. And the most common types of breast cancer in women are also the most common types in men:

• Invasive ductal carcinoma begins in the ducts and spreads beyond them.

• Invasive lobular carcinoma begins in the lobules (the glands that make milk) and then spreads beyond them.

• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are cancerous cells that haven’t spread beyond the ducts, but they may turn into invasive cancer.

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In rare cases, men, like women, can get other types of breast cancer, including inflammatory breast cancer, Phyllodes tumors, Paget’s disease of the breast, and sarcomas.

Male breast cancer symptoms

Symptoms of male breast cancer are similar to symptoms in female breast cancer. They include:

• An area of swelling or a lump in the breast area

• Redness or skin changes on the breast, areola, or nipple

• Dimpling of the skin over the breast

• Nipple discharge

• Nipple or areola pain

In both men and women, it can be hard to tell the difference between normal breast tissue and a cancerous lump. Cancer often presents as a new or changing area of the breast. Most of the time these symptoms turn out not to be cancer. But if you notice something new or changing on your body, it’s always a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider. 

Are there differences between male and female breast cancer?

There are several differences between male and female breast cancers. One of the biggest differences is the stage of the breast cancer diagnosis. Male breast cancer tends to be found at later, more advanced stages. Part of this is due to limited awareness about male breast cancer. Men likely don’t check their breast tissue for possible issues as often as women. 

Male breast cancer also tends to present with more skin or nipple findings. These may be skin changes, skin dimpling, or nipple discharge. Much of this is due to the smaller amount of male breast tissue. And the breast tissue they do have is closer to the nipple.

Male breast cancer risk factors

It’s not clear exactly what causes breast cancer in men. But we do know there are many different risk factors — some that you can control, and some that you can’t. These include:

• Inherited genetic mutations (including BRCA1 and BRCA2)

• Family history (even if genetic testing is negative, having a family member with a history of breast cancer increases a man’s risk for breast cancer)

• A history of radiation therapy to the chest 

• Use of medications that increase estrogen levels, such as hormone therapy

• Having an undescended testicle

• Having one or both testicles surgically removed

• Having testicle problems caused by mumps

• Older age 

• Liver disease (this can increase estrogen levels)

• Alcohol use

• Overweight or obesity

• Klinefelter syndrome

If you know you may be at higher risk, talk with your healthcare provider about testing and screening options. 

Is having male breasts (gynecomastia) a risk factor for cancer?

Yes. Some boys and men develop small breasts, either during puberty or later in life. Sometimes, these small breasts are made of fat. Other times, they’re made of actual breast tissue. If your breasts are made of breast tissue, this is called gynecomastia. 

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), gynecomastia increases your risk of breast cancer. Gynecomastia can be caused by many different things, including: 

• Hormonal changes

• Liver disease

• Kidney problems

• Obesity

• Medications 

• Drug and alcohol use

In addition to putting you at risk for cancer, gynecomastia can cause physical discomfort and psychological distress. This can sometimes make it hard to seek help. But if you have gynecomastia, it’s a great idea to talk with your healthcare provider. They can help you understand your options, as well as make sure to keep an eye out for any unusual breast changes. 

Male breast cancer treatment 

Treatment for breast cancer in men is similar to treatment for women. The right treatment depends on the person as well as the type and stage of breast cancer. Male breast cancer treatment may include:

• Surgery: This can mean either surgically removing just the tumor (lumpectomy), or removing part or all of your breast (mastectomy). The lymph nodes under your arm are sometimes taken out, too. 

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses medicine to destroy cancer cells, and to stop them from spreading.  

• Radiation: Radiation therapy uses special types of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells, and to stop them from growing. 

• Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy blocks or removes certain hormones, which makes it harder for the cancer to keep growing. 

• Biological therapy: These types of therapies use your own immune system to help fight cancer. 

Male breast cancer survival rate

Survival rates for breast cancer depend on many factors, including cancer type and any spread (metastasis). Cancers that haven’t yet spread have higher survival rates. Your age and other health conditions also play a role. The good news is that there are many effective treatment options, and they continue to improve. Survival rates are also increasing.

Support groups and resources

People with male breast cancer may feel like they don’t have as many resources in comparison to people with female breast cancer. But there are many support groups and resources for men. You can look at your local hospital and cancer center as well as many online communities. 

Consider starting with these resources:

• The Male Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) provides support, advocacy, and community for men with breast cancer.

• Going Beyond the Pink provides educational and supportive resources for individuals and families.

• CancerCare offers support groups for men.

• BreastCancer.org has many resources and guidelines about breast cancer.

• Cancer Support Community offers a range of programs, from educational workshops to support groups.

• The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Survivors Network is a forum where you can explore and contribute to a range of cancer-related topics.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Christina Palmer, MD

Christina Palmer, MD, is a board-certified family physician with a special interest in chronic care management, women’s health, mental health, and preventive care. She has over 10 years of experience in primary care research, innovation, and practice.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

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