Symptoms of Breast Cancer Recurrence

Increased reporting by doctors of the symptoms of breast cancer in men, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is of growing concern. The reports indicate that males diagnosed with breast cancer are increasing and also, the survival rates are not going down. Unlike women, who are taught early about how to perform self-evaluation for the symptoms, most men are totally unaware of this problem in males. Most women who do the self-exams at home often refer themselves to their primary physician, with little delay. Men are at the opposite end. Perhaps this is due in part to the fact that they are unaware of this potential health risk – though there is often a significant cultural or “macho” element involved.

This is unfortunate. Of the approximately 2,000 cases reported in the USA last year, over 450 died as a result – an astonishing 23% death rate from a very treatable disease. It does not have to be that way. Male breast cancer is both more treatable, especially in its early stages, and the physical effects of treatment are less obvious to outsiders. For example, it would not be obvious to the casual observer that a male had undergone a mastectomy.

As with men, men of any age can develop symptoms of male breast cancer. However, the age group most likely to have these symptoms are from ages 60 – 70. The good news is that the current generation of men in this age group, and those right behind them, have had both more exposure to the dangers of not thinking about this health concern.

As with women, breast cancer in men symptoms develop in the same way as with women. The reasons that symptoms of breast cancer are not often recognized or even acknowledged by men is only due to its relative rarity. Unlike women, men’s’ breast tissue stops developing at the onset of puberty. This lack of development means that the breast ducts (from where breast milk is delivered) are poorly formed or absent. So, cancer cells are not as mobile – and do not lump up or spread as quickly as in women.

Risk factors for male breast cancer include age, exposure to radiation (such as excess chest x-rays), high levels of estrogen – the “female Hormone”, and family history. Some scientists have recently conducted experiments to show that high-fat diets that may raise levels of bad cholesterol can mimic symptoms of male breast cancer.

If you, through either self-examination or experience of one or more of the following, seek professional medical advice immediately:

• A family history of male breast cancer.
• Sudden lumpiness or increased lump size in breasts
• Changes to the nipple or aureole of the breast (the dark area around the nipple)
• Leaking (discharge) of any fluid from the breast
• Change in the relative size of one breast to the other.

A definitive diagnosis, as with women, may include sonograms, mammograms, needle biopsies or lumpectomies. Again, the key is to consult your health provider as soon as symptoms are noticed.
Even more important is regular self-exams at home. So, do not delay doing yours.
treatment of the disease.