One of the biggest types of stigmas in the world is breast cancer. You’re probably wondering how breast cancer can be stigmatized if there are so many organizations, movements, and even dedicated colors and symbols for breast cancer right? Since breast cancer affects one specific gender the most, of course, it can’t be stigmatized for them, but what about the other gender? When you see these movements, posters, ads, charities and organizations about bringing awareness to breast cancer and fighting for more research, the first thing that comes to your mind is women. Why? Usually, that’s who develops breast cancer the most, but did you know that men can develop it too? So if men can develop breast cancer as well, why isn’t it talked about as much? Simple, because of stigmas.
Can Men Actually Develop Breast Cancer?
It might not happen as commonly as women, but men can develop breast cancer and more light needs to be shed on it. Doctors aren’t sure what truly causes breast cancer in men but what they do know is that it usually occurs when the breast cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells.
These cells then form a tumor and metastasize to nearby tissue. In men, breast cancer can form in a few different places. One of them is the milk ducts. This is usually where most men develop breast cancer.
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Another area where men can develop breast cancer is in the lobular carcinoma, also known as the milk-producing glands, though this is a rarer type of cancer for men.
Then there is nipple and inflammatory breast cancer and Paget’s disease which are other ways for men to develop breast cancer if they experience any of these.
Men Can Have Breast Cancer Too: 8 Risk Factors To Know
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What Are The Odds Of Men Developing Metastatic Breast Cancer
Since men can develop breast cancer, it’s important to know if they can develop different types of breast cancer as well.
Only one percent of breast cancer occurs in men overall and as stated before, almost all breast cancer cases found in men, developed in their milk ducts.
When it comes to metastatic breast cancer, some men can develop it from the start. Metastatic breast cancer occurs when undiagnosed breast cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. Doctors refer to this as de novo breast cancer. Men are usually diagnosed with a more advanced stage of cancer because since it’s so uncommon for men to develop breast cancer, they don’t get checked for it the way women are pushed to. This means that if a man is to develop breast cancer, he is more than likely going to develop metastatic breast cancer.
The risk factors of developing breast cancer include having a family history of breast cancer, genetic mutations (BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene), having high estrogen levels, getting older, exposure to radiation and more.
What To Do If You Are Concerned
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be dealing with breast cancer, knowing what to look for will help you determine your next steps. Much like women, men should also be encouraged to check for lumps.
These self-checks play an important role in detecting breast cancer early. When looking for male breast cancer, one of the main signs will be a lump in the breast that feels like a hard pebble.
Other symptoms that show breast cancer may have developed are nipple pain, lump(s) under the nipple or in the armpit, nipple discharge and its turning inward, changes in the breast (puckered, redness, soreness, dimpling, etc.), change in the shape of the breast and more. These are the same signs that women look for if there is breast cancer developing.
How To Destigmatize Breast Cancer
In order for the stigmatization of breast cancer and men to dissipate, it starts with bringing more awareness to the situation. Oftentimes when men develop breast cancer, they think something is wrong with them or they feel emasculated because it’s a “woman’s” disease.
Anyone can get breast cancer, even children, so it’s time to start talking more about it. Men need to show up more for other men and stop making them feel bad about something that can happen to anyone.
Pushing for men to get mammograms more often, creating more and shedding light to support groups for men with breast cancer, getting tested regularly for other types of cancers and illnesses and speaking up about men with breast cancer are all ways to help destroy the stigma. It’s time for the world to be more open about men and their health because how will you know what to do if you don’t know what to look for?
