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Breast Cancer

Men's Breast Health

  1. What are the symptoms of male breast cancer?
  2. As a male, how can I determine whether or not a lump in my left breast is an indication of breast cancer?
  3. I am a male, age 69. My nipples have itched for 2-3 months to the point where I would like scratch them. The symptoms are irritating. I have not noticed any physical changes.

What are the symptoms of male breast cancer?

Your question is excellent because men do not think of themselves developing breast cancer. Only 1-2% of all breast cancers develop in men. Breast cancer in men usually occurs at an older age, and beneath the nipple. It is essentially the same as breast cancer in women with regard to symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatment. Almost always, the first symptom is finding a firm lump, especially beneath, or within 1 cm, of the areola. Bloody discharge from the nipple, nipple retraction, swelling of the breast, itching of the nipple or an axillary lump can be symptoms, but are less frequent. Unfortunately, males do not undergo routine screening and early detection procedures as women do. When a lump is discovered, it is often a more advanced disease.

As a male, how can I determine whether or not a lump in my left breast is an indication of breast cancer?

The first thing you do when you feel a lump in your breast, male or female, is to go to your doctor. Even a doctor cannot tell if a lump is benign (non cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) without doing diagnostic tests. A mammogram may be done first but even that does not clarify the nature of the lump. A biopsy needs to be done for a definitive diagnosis. A biopsy is removal of part or all of the lump to find out what it is.

Breast cancer in men is rare, less than 1% of all male malignancies. When a man does develop breast cancer, there may be a family history of breast cancer either on the father's or the mother's side. There are other conditions that cause a breast lump in a male. It can develop for some who are taking medication for heart conditions or high blood pressure, or who are smoking marijuana. The important thing to do is go to a physician to have it diagnosed.

I am a male, age 69. My nipples have itched for 2-3 months to the point where I would like scratch them. The symptoms are irritating. I have not noticed any physical changes.

Chronic itching can be a symptom of eczema of the nipples which is a nonspecific inflammatory response to internal or external agents (such as the soap used to launder your clothes). Itching is often an allergic reaction and responds to removal of the irritant and to topical application of hydrocortisone. The important point to make is that you need to see your primary physician to determine the cause of the itching. It is important that you are checked for a form of breast cancer called Paget's disease of the nipple. The skin changes around the nipple can vary from moist, scaly to dry skin. The nipple can display redness or simply subtle thickening. Often, no change is evident. To avoid any mistakes, any questionable dermatitis of the nipples needs to be biopsied for diagnosis. Only 1-2% of all breast cancers develop in men. Most of these cases are presented as a firm lump in the breast. However, Paget's disease does occur in men.

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Last Reviewed: Jun 12, 2002

University of Cincinnati Janet Trigg, RN, MSN, EdD
Formerly:
College of Nursing
University of Cincinnati
Janet Trigg, RN, MSN, EdD