Breast Cancer in Men and Women-Less Known Facts

Breast Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of breast cells. Most breast cancers take 6 to 8 years to become big enough to be able to be seen on a mammogram or felt. You CANNOT feel a slow-growing breast tumor by touch until it is 0.4 inc (1 cm) in diameter, which makes the mammogram so vital for early detection. Although it can occur in men and women, breast cancer is by far more common in women.

Common risk factors for breast cancer in women:

§ Older age.

§ Obesity & lack of physical exercise.

§ Diet high in fat and sugar.

§ High cholesterol.

§ Heavy drinking & smoking.

§ Hormone replacement therapy during menopause.

§ Chest ionizing radiation.

§ First menstruation before 12.

§ First birth after age 30 or no pregnancy.

IMPORTANT: You can reduce your risk by practicing a healthy lifestyle,  by knowing the risk factors, and by planning and sticking to early detection testing.

Risk factors for breast cancer  in men:

§ Age-Most breast cancers happen to men between ages 60 and 70.

§ Breast cancer in a close female relative.

§ Diet rich in fats and sweets.

§ Obesity & lack of physical exercise.

§ Heavy drinking & smoking.

§ Radiation exposure of the chest.

§ Enlargement of breasts (gynecomastia) caused by drug or hormone treatments, infections and poisons.

§ Taking estrogen.

§ Klinefelter's syndrome, rare genetic disease.

§ Cirrhosis.

§ Diseases of the testicles:  mumpsorchitis, a testicular injury,  undescended testicle.

The cancer is typically detected as a hard lump under the nipple and areola. It has a higher mortality rate than female cancer mostly because men assume this condition is a women's disease and they delay medical advice and  treatment. 

Common risk factors for senior women:

§ Age - Two in three women over 55 are at risk to develop the cancer.

§ Genes – About 10% of breast cancer cases in seniors are hereditary. Know your  parents' medical history.

§ Lack of physical exercise.

§ Diet high in fats and sugars.

§ Obesity –Fat tissue stores estrogen, so if you are overweight after menopause you have an increased chance of developing breast cancer. Overweight leads to higher blood insulin levels which have also been linked to breast cancer.

§ Alcohol Intake – If you have more than one alcohol drink per day  you have a one and a half times the risk of developing breast cancer as a non-drinker.