When you hear the words “breast cancer,” the image that probably comes to mind is that of a woman. But what many don’t know is that men can get breast cancer too—and while rare, it’s often diagnosed late due to stigma, lack of awareness, and hesitation to seek help.
“Male breast cancer accounts for about 1 per cent of all breast cancer cases, but because men are not taught to check for warning signs or seek screening, they tend to come to us only when the disease is advanced,” says Dr. Vidhi Shah, Consultant Breast Onco Surgeon at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai.
Why is it so often missed?
“Men often ignore symptoms like a lump in the chest, nipple discharge or changes in the skin,” explains Dr Shah. “Many assume these signs are harmless or related to muscle or weight gain,” she added.
Worse, some men hesitate to even speak about changes in their chest area due to embarrassment or the belief that breast cancer is a “women’s disease.”
“But cancer doesn’t care about gender,” says Dr Shah. “And early diagnosis can make all the difference. The five-year survival rate for early-stage male breast cancer is above 95 per cent.”
How can men check themselves?
While women are often encouraged to do regular breast self-exams, most men aren’t taught this simple, potentially life-saving habit. But it’s easy and takes just a few minutes.
Here’s how to do a monthly self-check:
- Stand in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides. Look for swelling, puckering, or redness.
- Raise your arms and look again.
- Using the pads of your fingers, feel your chest in circular motions, moving from the outer chest toward the nipple.
“You’re feeling for a painless lump, nipple discharge, especially bloody discharge or changes in the nipple like inversion, scaling, or skin dimpling,” says Dr Shah. “If you notice anything unusual, don’t wait and see a doctor immediately.”
What tests might be needed?
If your doctor suspects something abnormal, they may recommend:
- Clinical Breast Exam – A physical check by a healthcare provider.
- Mammogram – Yes, men can have them too. It’s an X-ray of breast tissue.
- Ultrasound – To see if the lump is solid or fluid-filled.
- Biopsy – To check if the lump is cancerous.
- MRI or CT Scan – To check if cancer has spread.
- Hormone Receptor Testing – To see if the tumour responds to hormones like estrogen.
What are the stages?
Just like in women, male breast cancer is staged from 0 to IV:
- Stage 0: Limited to breast ducts.
- Stage I: Tumour is under 2 cm and hasn’t spread.
- Stage II: Larger tumour or has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage III: More extensive spread to lymph nodes and nearby tissue.
- Stage IV: Cancer has reached distant organs like the lungs or bones.
“Early stages are highly treatable,” says Dr Shah. “The problem is, most men don’t catch it early.”
Who’s more at risk?
Though breast cancer can happen to any man, some are at higher risk. This includes men with a family history of breast cancer, those who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, and men with certain hormone conditions.
“If you have a family history or genetic risk, speak to your doctor about screening,” Dr Shah advises.
Many men suffer in silence or delay seeing a doctor out of shame or fear. However, delaying care can reduce the chances of successful treatment.
“Breast cancer is not a women-only issue,” says Dr Shah. “We need to break this myth. Men must be taught to check themselves and speak up if something feels wrong. It’s just another part of your body, there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
Breast cancer in men may be rare, but it’s real and it can be deadly if ignored. A quick monthly check, some awareness, and timely medical help can save your life.
“It’s time we stop seeing breast cancer as only a woman’s disease,” says Dr Shah. “The earlier you act, the better your chances of beating it.”
