Male breast cancer signs you should never ignore – as hundreds diagnosed yearly
07.09.2022 - 20:23
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Male breast cancer is rare, but it's important to be able to spot the signs and symptoms. Only about one in 100 breast cancer cases in the UK are in males, according to Cancer Research UK. There are key similarities although there are also differences that men should be aware of.
In total, there are around 350 men diagnosed each year in the UK, and there are a number of risk factors that could increase risks for the condition. Experts have said that warning signs for male breast cancer can be too easily overlooked.
One such expert is Dr Alexandra Hass, a radiation oncologist at the leading cancer treatment facility Proton Therapy Center Prague. Dr Haas told the Mirror : “Many people think breast cancer is a disease that only affects women, but hundreds of British men receive the devastating diagnosis each year. Unfortunately, many men overlook the symptoms and therefore get diagnosed and treated later than female patients.”
Here are risk factors and key symptoms for breast cancer in men.
Risk factors for male breast cancer include:
According to the NHS, potential early warning signs of the disease may include:
“As with most types of cancer, early detection can be a lifesaver and it’s important that we know the warning signs associated with the disease,” adds Dr Haas. “Men should be on alert for changes to the size or shape of the chest, small, painless lumps in the chest and armpit area and any signs of swelling in those areas, too.
“Other red flags include a sudden inversion of the nipple, a rash, bleeding or oozing from the nipple and a skin ulcer in the affected area.”
If you notice any of these changes to your body, it’s vital to seek help from your GP as soon as possible.
“It's very unlikely you have cancer, but it's