June 11, 2026, 2:24 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
When thinking of breast cancer, women typically come to mind, but men can also be affected. FITBOOK explains the symptoms, causes, and treatment options. Plus: What interesting insights recent studies provide on risk factors.
According to the “Deutsche Krebshilfe” (German Cancer Aid), 177 out of 100,000 women develop breast cancer, while for men, it’s “only” 1.9 out of 100,000. However, according to the “Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft” (German Cancer Society), there are still around 700 new cases annually. The average age of onset is 65 years for women and 71 years for men.1,2
Why Can Men Also Develop Breast Cancer?
Eighty percent of breast cancer cases (mammary carcinoma) originate in the milk ducts, which are present in both women and men. Until puberty, the breast structure is nearly identical in both genders. It is only through female sex hormones that the milk ducts, glandular tissue, and connective and fatty tissue begin to grow in girls.
Also interesting: The diet that can demonstrably reduce cancer risk
What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Men?
Men should be alert if they notice lumps and inflammations in the breast area that do not go away. Enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits can also indicate breast cancer. Essentially, there are no gender-specific symptomatic differences. What may indicate breast cancer in women should also be considered a warning sign for men.3
Warning Signs
- Painless, unilateral palpable lumps or hardening in the breast
- Changes in breast skin
- The nipple retracts inward
- Inflammation of the mammary glands
- Nipples discharge fluid
- Non-healing inflammations in the breast area
- Enlarged or hardened lymph nodes in the armpit
In more advanced stages, when skeletal metastases have already formed, the disease can manifest through other symptoms:
- Bone pain
- Weight loss
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Reduced performance
- Jaundice
- Liver weakness
- Due to lymph node metastases in the armpits, the arm may swell
Causes and Risk Factors of Male Breast Cancer
Most breast cancer cases are linked to elevated levels of the sex hormone estrogen, which is present in both women and men. Severe obesity, liver diseases, or hormone intake, such as for performance enhancement or during gender transition, can lead to high estrogen levels in men and increase the risk of breast cancer.4
Additional Risk Factors (Similar to Women):
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Diet
- Increased local radiation exposure
Additionally, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can increase the risk of breast cancer. Genetic anomalies like Klinefelter syndrome (a congenital chromosomal disorder) can also contribute to the disease. The syndrome increases the breast cancer risk by 15 to 50 times. However, it’s important to note that only three to seven percent of men who develop mammary carcinoma also have this syndrome.
Jessie J Has Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Itchy Armpits Can Indicate These Cancers
How Is the Disease Treated?
Unlike women, men do not have early detection programs. As a result, the disease is often diagnosed late. Additionally, men often do not consider the possibility of breast cancer when experiencing breast-related symptoms. However, the same principle applies to the male form of the disease: The earlier it is detected, the better the chances of recovery.
If a mammary carcinoma is diagnosed, the entire affected tissue and surrounding lymph nodes must be surgically removed, as cancer cells are likely present there as well. Consequently, affected patients often have to undergo complete breast removal, as men have significantly less breast tissue than women.
Following surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or antibody therapy can be beneficial for further treatment, potentially destroying any remaining cancer cells. Since male breast cancer is usually hormonally driven, antihormonal therapy is also an option.
If you fear you may be affected or know someone who might be, the network “Men with Breast Cancer” offers valuable information.
Also interesting: For these symptoms, a hormone check for men is worthwhile
Study Suggests a Link to Infertility
Research on male breast cancer is still in its infancy. Because the disease is so rare, it has long been neglected by science. However, progress has been made, as noted on the “Breast Cancer Now” project website. It outlines the current state of research on breast cancer in men. Among other findings, studies have shown that the likelihood of men developing breast cancer increases with obesity and is linked to genetic changes.5
Another interesting study referenced there suggests a possible correlation between cancer and infertility. Researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research (London, UK) compared 1,998 cases of breast cancer in men with surveyed data on fertility and fatherhood. They contrasted the study group with a control group of 1,567 other men. The analysis revealed that men reporting fertility issues were more likely to have developed breast cancer. However, this was only true for invasive breast cancer, the form of the disease where cancer cells have spread.6