Did you know that men can develop breast cancer?  Breast cancer can occur in men, although it is rare.  Less than 1% of all breast cancers are in men.   Men at any age may develop breast cancer, but it is usually detected (found) in men between 60 and 70 years of age.  For more from the National Breast Cancer Foundation please follow the link below.

Risk factors for breast cancer in men include the following:

• Being exposed to radiation
• Having a disease linked to high levels of estrogen in the body, such as cirrhosis (liver disease) or certain genetic disorders
• Having several female relatives who have had breast cancer, especially relatives who have alterations in the BRCA-2 gene (a gene that increases risk for breast cancer)

Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. Men carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment.