Breast cancer in men is nowhere near as common in men as it is in women. In fact, less than 1% of cancers in men are breast cancers and male breast cancer makes up less than 1% of all breast cancers overall. Because of this, breast cancer in men is very understudied and breast cancer management in men is based on breast cancer management strategies in women. A new study comparing some of the population based differences between male and female breast cancer helps to increase male breast cancer awareness.
In one of the largest male – female comparative studies, researchers examined breast cancer statistics from 1976 – 1985 and from 1996 – 2005 in both men and women. Their results showed that:
Incidence rates in men (1 breast cancer per 100,000 person years) were far lower than incidence rates in women (143 breast cancers per 100,000 person years)
Men were older at initial breast diagnosis than women
High risk markers (larger tumor sizes and positive lymph nodes) were more common in men than women
Men showed a higher rate of Estrogen Receptor – positive tumors (92%) than women (76%)
Rate of breast cancer death improved by 28% in men, but 42% in women
These data suggest that while breast cancer remains far more common in women than men, men are not getting diagnosed as early, potentially resulting in larger breast cancer tumors and a slower improvement in the risk of death from breast cancer. This study also suggests that male breast cancer appears to have similar characteristics to late-onset breast cancer in women, which might help guide breast cancer treatment for men. The information presented in this study is a good step in raising the awareness of breast cancer risk in men.
Breast cancer awareness is a critical early step in the reduction of breast cancer risk for all people. To learn more about the type of diet and lifestyle changes you can make to reduce breast cancer risk, read my book Fight Now: Eat & Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer at www.fightBCnow.com.
In one of the largest male – female comparative studies, researchers examined breast cancer statistics from 1976 – 1985 and from 1996 – 2005 in both men and women. Their results showed that:
- Incidence rates in men (1 breast cancer per 100,000 person years) were far lower than incidence rates in women (143 breast cancers per 100,000 person years)
- Men were older at initial breast diagnosis than women
- High risk markers (larger tumor sizes and positive lymph nodes) were more common in men than women
- Men showed a higher rate of Estrogen Receptor – positive tumors (92%) than women (76%)
- Rate of breast cancer death improved by 28% in men, but 42% in women
These data suggest that while breast cancer remains far more common in women than men, men are not getting diagnosed as early, potentially resulting in larger breast cancer tumors and a slower improvement in the risk of death from breast cancer. This study also suggests that male breast cancer appears to have similar characteristics to late-onset breast cancer in women, which might help guide breast cancer treatment for men. The information presented in this study is a good step in raising the awareness of breast cancer risk in men.Breast cancer awareness is a critical early step in the reduction of breast cancer risk for all people. To learn more about the type of diet and lifestyle changes you can make to reduce breast cancer risk, read my book Fight Now: Eat & Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer at www.fightBCnow.com.