When we talk about breast cancer, we usually picture women. But men have breast tissue too, and they can get breast cancer. While it is rare, affecting less than 1% of all breast cancer cases, it is far from insignificant.
In 2025, an estimated 2,800 men in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and around 500 will lose their lives to it. The numbers may seem small, but behind them are stories of men who were diagnosed late because they never thought it could happen to them.
Why Awareness Matters
Breast cancer in men often goes unnoticed until it is advanced. Many men are unaware they even have breast tissue, let alone that it can turn cancerous. Others delay seeing a doctor because of embarrassment or the mistaken belief that “breast cancer is a women’s disease.”
As a result, men are usually diagnosed later, and that delay can be deadly. Studies show men have a 19% higher mortality rate than women with breast cancer, mainly because the disease is often caught at a more advanced stage.
The message is simple: awareness saves lives.
What Puts Men at Risk
Like women, men’s breast cancer risk rises with age, genetics, and hormonal imbalance. But some risk factors are unique to men:
- Genetic mutations: Particularly in the BRCA2 gene, which can raise lifetime risk to as high as 8%. Men with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer should consider genetic testing.
- Klinefelter syndrome: A rare chromosomal condition (XXY pattern) that increases risk up to 50 times due to higher estrogen levels.
- Hormonal imbalance: Conditions that raise estrogen or lower testosterone, such as obesity, liver disease, or testicular disorders, also raise risk.
- Metabolic health: Men with obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome face significantly higher risk. Fat tissue produces estrogen, and chronic inflammation can fuel tumor growth.
- Lifestyle factors: Excessive alcohol, poor diet, and inactivity further disrupt hormonal balance, adding to long-term risk.
Early Signs Men Shouldn’t Ignore
Most men discover breast cancer accidentally, often while showering or changing clothes. Key warning signs include:
- A painless lump under or near the nipple
- Changes in the nipple such as inversion, rash, or scaling
- Nipple discharge, especially if it is bloody
- Skin dimpling or redness on the chest
- Swelling in the armpit, suggesting lymph node involvement
Any of these signs deserve prompt medical attention. Early detection dramatically improves survival. Over 95% of men diagnosed early live beyond five years.
How It’s Diagnosed
Diagnosis in men follows similar steps as in women: clinical examination, mammography or ultrasound, and core needle biopsy for confirmation. Most male breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive, meaning they respond well to hormone-blocking treatments like tamoxifen.
Unfortunately, because awareness is low, men are often diagnosed when the cancer has already spread. Screening mammograms aren’t routinely recommended for men, but those with genetic mutations or strong family history should discuss regular imaging with their doctor.
Treatment and Outlook
Treatment for male breast cancer mirrors that of women: surgery (usually mastectomy), radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.
Men with early-stage disease often respond very well to treatment, with survival rates over 95%. For advanced or metastatic disease, survival drops, highlighting the importance of early recognition.
Long-term survival also depends on metabolic and hormonal balance, areas where lifestyle plays a major role.
Prevention Starts with Awareness and Metabolic Health
You can’t change your genes, but you can take charge of your metabolic health… one of the most underestimated levers in breast cancer prevention.
Maintaining a healthy weight, moving regularly, eating nutrient-dense food, sleeping well, and managing stress all help balance hormones and reduce chronic inflammation. These small habits are powerful.
For men with a family history or BRCA gene mutation, genetic counseling and regular self-checks are crucial. And for everyone, learning to spot the early signs can make all the difference.
A Smarter Way to Track Your Health
Your metabolism is more than a number on the scale, it’s the system that helps your body stay balanced, resilient, and strong.
If you want to start tracking it, the AskSally Terminal and A1C Insights app can help you monitor glucose, energy, and recovery patterns that reflect your metabolic health. Because awareness is power, and prevention starts from within. 🩵
