BCRF answers this common question, looks at how the disease impacts men, and shares risk factors
To many people, it may seem impossible that a man could develop breast cancer. But they do have a small amount of breast tissue that, in rare cases, can become malignant. So can men get breast cancer? The answer is yes.
Even though male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of all breast carcinomas, men do need to be aware of the signs and symptoms and report them to their doctor promptly. A mix of many factors, such as low awareness and lack of screening, mean that men often get diagnosed at later stages of the disease, when prognosis is poorer. Here’s what every man needs to know.
How common is breast cancer in men?
Although breast cancer is far less common in men than in women, it does happen. Male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses, making it a rare disease, but one that is important to recognize because it often gets diagnosed at a later stage.
More than 2,600 men in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Because awareness of male breast cancer is lower and routine screening is not recommended for most men, symptoms may go unnoticed until the disease has progressed. Recognizing changes early and seeking medical evaluation can help improve outcomes.
Male breast cancer and female breast cancer typically occur later in life, though the average age at diagnosis is higher in men (71) than in women (63). Men of any race or ethnicity can develop breast cancer, though it is more common in white males. Unfortunately, many of the same racial disparities seen in female breast cancer also exist in male breast cancer, with men of color experiencing longer times to treatment, less access to care, and higher disease-related mortality than white men.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer in men?
Although male breast cancer is uncommon, recognizing signs of breast cancer may help lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment. Many of the signs are the same as those seen in women with breast cancer, and they often affect just one breast. If you notice a new lump or other persistent changes to your breast or nipple, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider for evaluation.
Common signs and symptoms of breast cancer in men include:
- A lump or swelling that is usually painless
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin on the breast
- Nipples that turn inward (nipple retraction)
- Discharge from the nipple
- Redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin
It’s important to remember that these symptoms do not always indicate breast cancer. However, because breast cancer in men is often diagnosed at a later stage, a healthcare provider should promptly evaluate any persistent lump, nipple discharge, skin changes, or other unusual breast symptoms.
What types of breast cancer can men get?
Men can develop many of the same types of breast cancer as women. The vast majority begin in the milk ducts because, while men have much less breast tissue than women, they still have a small number of milk ducts beneath the nipple.
The most common type of breast cancer in men is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), which begins in the milk ducts and spreads into nearby breast tissue. About 90% of male breast cancers are IDC.
They can also develop invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), which starts in the milk-producing glands (lobules). However, because men have very few lobules, this type is much less common than IDC.
Other, rarer types of breast cancer that can affect men include:
- Inflammatory breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease that causes redness, swelling, and changes in the skin of the breast.
- Paget’s disease of the nipple, a rare cancer that affects the skin of the nipple and may cause redness, scaling, or irritation.
Although these cancers are uncommon, recognizing the different types of breast cancer in men helps researchers better understand how the disease develops and how to tailor treatments for breast cancer to improve outcomes.
What causes breast cancer in men?
There is no single cause of breast cancer in men. Instead, the disease develops through a combination of genetic, hormonal, lifestyle, and medical factors that can increase a person’s risk over time. While many men diagnosed with breast cancer have no obvious risk factors, researchers have identified several that are associated with a higher likelihood of developing the disease.
Age and family history
Age is the strongest risk factor for male breast cancer. Most men are diagnosed later in life, with the average age at diagnosis between 60 and 70.
Family history also plays an important role. About 1 in 5 men with breast cancer have a close male or female relative with the disease, suggesting that inherited risk can contribute to its development.
Genetics and inherited mutations
Certain inherited genetic mutations can significantly increase a man’s risk of breast cancer.
- BRCA1 and BRCA2: Men can inherit mutations in either gene, although BRCA2 is associated with a higher risk of male breast cancer. Men with BRCA1 mutations have about a 4% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, while those with BRCA2 mutations have a risk of about 6%.
- Other inherited mutations: Changes in genes such as PTEN, TP53, PALB2, and CHEK2 can also increase breast cancer risk.
Hormonal and medical conditions
Several medical conditions can alter hormone levels in ways that may increase breast cancer risk.
- Obesity: Excess body fat increases estrogen levels because fat tissue converts androgens like testosterone into estrogen. Most male breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive, meaning estrogen fuels their growth.
- Klinefelter syndrome: Men born with this genetic condition have an extra X chromosome. Their breast cancer risk is estimated to be 20 to 60 times higher than that of the general male population.
- Liver disease: Severe liver disease, including cirrhosis, can disrupt the body’s normal balance of sex hormones, increasing estrogen levels.
Lifestyle and environmental factors
Some exposures and health conditions may also contribute to a higher risk of breast cancer in men.
- Alcohol: Excessive alcohol use may increase breast cancer risk because of alcohol’s harmful effects on the liver and hormone regulation.
- Testicular conditions: An undescended testicle or the removal of one or both testicles may increase breast cancer risk.
- Radiation exposure: Men who have received radiation therapy to the chest have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Men who underwent radiation to treat gynecomastia—a swelling of breast tissue in boys or men—have an approximately sevenfold higher risk.
What is the outlook for men with breast cancer?
This group is often diagnosed at a later stage than breast cancer in women, which can make treatment more challenging. In fact, about 40% of male breast cancers are diagnosed at stage 3 or 4, when the disease is more advanced. As a result, men have a 19% higher mortality rate than women, and survival rates have not improved as much over the past 30 years.
Overall, the five-year survival rate for men with breast cancer ranges from about 40 to 65%, depending largely on how early the cancer is detected and treated.
| Stage at diagnosis | Estimated five-year survival | What this generally means |
| Stage 1 | 75-100% | Cancer is small and confined to the breast, making it more likely to be treated successfully. |
| Stage 2 | 50-80% | Cancer has grown or spread to nearby lymph nodes but is still considered localized or regional. |
| Stage 3 | 30-60% | Cancer is more advanced, often involving nearby tissues or multiple lymph nodes. |
| Stage 4 | 20-30% | Cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer). |
Early detection remains one of the most important factors influencing outcomes. Men who notice a lump, nipple changes, or other unusual breast symptoms should speak with a healthcare provider promptly rather than waiting to see if symptoms resolve on their own.
Male breast cancer research
Traditionally, breast cancer research has focused primarily on women, partly because female breast cancer is far more common, but also because there are few clinical trials in men and they are not usually actively recruited to breast cancer clinical trials. This means that when men are diagnosed with breast cancer, they are treated similarly to women, but because of research, we know that their disease can be different.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) seeks to change these trends by funding research focused on advancing our understanding of male breast cancer, how best to treat it, and more. The Foundation long funded the pioneering International Male Breast Cancer Program, which yielded several important studies on the underlying biology of male breast cancer. And today, BCRF is supporting the work of Dr. Jose Pablo Leone, who launched one of the first clinical trials to test different treatment strategies in men. Learn more about his work on our podcast.
Supporting the future of male breast cancer research
Although breast cancer in this group is rare, the need for research is significant. Because men have historically been underrepresented in breast cancer studies and clinical trials, many questions remain about the biology of the disease, how it develops, and the most effective ways to diagnose and treat it.
BCRF is helping close these knowledge gaps by funding research that expands our understanding of male breast cancer, supports more inclusive clinical studies, and explores new approaches to prevention, earlier detection, and treatment. These discoveries have the potential to improve care for men diagnosed today while helping shape better outcomes for future generations.
One multi-center study looking at endocrine (hormone) therapies to treat male breast cancer before surgery is the ETHAN trial. This phase two clinical trial is investigating whether various combination therapies work in men with breast cancer—and how.
Continued investment in research is essential to ensure that everyone affected by breast cancer benefits from scientific progress.
Support the research driving these discoveries. Donate, start a fundraiser, or explore other ways to give and help fund the science that’s advancing our understanding of breast cancer in men and improving outcomes for patients everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Can men get screened for breast cancer?
Yes, but routine breast cancer screening with mammograms is not generally recommended for men because male breast cancer is rare and there is not enough evidence to support widespread screening. However, men with a higher risk of developing breast cancer, such as those with certain genetic mutations or a strong family history, may benefit from personalized screening plans and should discuss their options with a healthcare provider.
Should men with a family history of breast cancer get genetic testing?
Men with a strong family history of breast cancer, especially cases involving male relatives or multiple family members, may benefit from genetic counseling and testing. Inherited mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 can increase a man’s risk of developing breast cancer and may also affect cancer risks among family members.
Is breast cancer in men treated differently than breast cancer in women?
Doctors often treat breast cancer in men using many of the same approaches used for breast cancer in women, including surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted treatments when appropriate. However, because male breast cancer is rare, fewer studies have focused specifically on men, and researchers continue working to better understand the unique biology of the disease and improve treatment strategies.
