Tuesday 20 January 2015

CAN MEN ALSO HAVE BREAST CANCER?


Breast cancer is widely perceived to happen among women, but the truth is that though breast cancer may be rare in men, it still happens. After all, men have breast tissues too. Research has it that the overall ratio of female to male breast cancer is about 100 to 1. This may sound like a small number but the reality is that 390 men die out of 1,970 diagnosed
. This is why the issue is very crucial. Breast cancer is much more common in women and because of this, many men disregard the reality of breast cancer among their gender. This can delay diagnosis and as a result, some cancers are not  found  until they have progressed to a later stage. However, when cancer is found at the same stage among men and women, the survival rates are similar. Because the male breast is much smaller than the female breast,  it  is more likely the  disease will spread to the chest wall.  For this reason, it is important to find the cancer early for successful treatment. You should see your doctor right away if you see changes in your chest area.
BASIC SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER IN MEN
·         A lump in the chest area.
·         Skin dimpling or puckering.
·         Nipple changes.

FACTORS THAT INCREASE A MAN’S RISK OF BREAST CANCER
·         A genetic condition such as klinefelter’s syndrome that is associated with high estrogen levels.
·         Family members [male or female] with breast cancer.
·         Chronic liver disorders.
·         Alcoholism
·         Obesity
·         Getting older.
The steps used to diagnose breast cancer in men include a complete medical history, a clinical breast exam, mammogram test and biopsy. The types of breast cancer found in men are the same as those found in women, as well as the stages and patterns of how the disease spreads. Treatments therefore for breast cancer in men are the same as for women. It generally involves some combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation- therapy or hormon  theraphy.  The main treatment for male breast cancer is mastectomy. A mastectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the breast with the cancerous tumour. Lumpectomy is rarely used because of the small size of the male breast. Some men may have radiation theraphy following surgery.
When first diagnosed with breast cancer, many men are in shock. After all, breast cancer is a woman’s disease. Do not let the surprise of this diagnosis distract you from the seriousness. It is very important for you to ask questions and gather as much information as you can in order to make informed decisions about your  treatment. These are the questions you should ask your doctor;
·         What type of breast cancer do I have? Is it non-invasive or invasive.
·         What is the stage of my cancer?
·         What treatments are appropriate for my type of cancer? Which one do you recommend and why?
·         How can I prepare for treatment? What side effects should I expect? What should I report to you?
·         What is the  expected outcome.


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