Male Breast Cancer: Uncommon But Deadly

The first reaction when thinking about breast cancer is that it mostly affects women. This is true, but the cancer can pose a serious threat to men as well. A new analysis of cancer rates shows that when men are diagnosed with breast cancer it is usually at an advanced stage that is more likely to cause death.
 
This news doesn’t surprise doctors, including Dr. Susan Dent from the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Center. "Men aren't as likely to think of it, and health care providers aren't as likely to think of men having breast cancer,” she said. By the time the cancer is diagnosed it has often spread beyond the breast, making it more difficult to fight.
 
Because most women get regular screenings the disease is often caught before any symptoms show up. This is not so for men, who usually show symptoms before they are diagnosed. Men who think they might have a problem often delay seeing a doctor, but if caught early they have a high chance of survival. 
 
All men should consider the possibility of breast cancer and contact a doctor if they begin to display any symptoms. This is especially true for men who have a family history of the disease. Even so, the disease is rare among men and does not require regular screenings.