Breast Cancer
Men have breast tissue so can get Breast Cancer too
Each year hundreds of men are diagnosed with Breast Cancer in the UK alone.
Yep, that’s right – men can get Breast Cancer too. Now, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about – men have breasts (and we’re not just talking about those ‘man boobs’), so of course men can get Breast Cancer too.
Each year hundreds of men are diagnosed with Breast Cancer in the UK alone, meaning it’s not just a girl thing, but a problem for the boys too.
Girls have it drilled into them from a young age to keep an eye out for the symptoms of Breast Cancer, so guys need to catch up and know what to look out for too – as the earlier you catch it the easier it is to treat.
men are diagnosed with Breast Cancer in the UK every year
Breast Cancer cases are male
men will develop Breast Cancer
men died from breast cancer in the UK in 2012
The experts aren’t 100% on what causes Breast Cancer, but, as with other Cancers, there are some risk elements which make it more likely.
These include:
The most common sign is a hard lump on the chest, usually found underneath the nipple and areola (that’s the circular area coloured differently to your chest). If your nipples have changed in shape, colour or if there’s any discharge then you should call your GP.
Other symptoms can include:
Remember, you can get similar symptoms from harmless cysts, but it’s always best left to your GP to decide the best fix. When you visit your doctor, they’ll feel your chest area to see if the lump could be a cyst.
Your doctor may organise an ultrasound or an X-ray. These don’t hurt and won’t need you to stay overnight. Another potential test is a biopsy, which takes a sample of the lump for testing.
It’s always worth giving yourself a regular once over to check for any unusual lumps or bumps.
Here’s a quick guide to checking yourself (or, you and your partner could always have a bit of fun and check each other instead)…
If you notice anything unusual, then don’t hang about – get it checked out by a doctor.