Yes, men can get breast cancer, though it is rare

Breast cancer in men is uncommon — it accounts for about 1 in 100 breast cancer diagnoses in the United States. But it does happen, and men who develop it often catch it later than women do, partly because they do not expect it. Men have breast tissue just as women do, running from the collarbone down to the rib cage, so cancer can form there the same way it forms in women.

The most common type is invasive ductal carcinoma, which starts in the milk ducts. Men can also develop other types, including inflammatory breast cancer and Paget's disease of the nipple, though these are even rarer. The key difference from women is not the cancer itself — it is that men often have less breast tissue to begin with, so a tumor may be easier to feel and may reach the chest wall or lymph nodes sooner.

Key Takeaways

  • Men develop breast cancer at any age, but risk rises after age 50, and it is more common in men over 65.
  • A lump, dimpling, nipple discharge, or redness on the chest should be checked by a doctor, even though most lumps are not cancer.
  • Doctors diagnose male breast cancer using mammography, ultrasound, or biopsy — the same tools used for women.
  • Family history of breast cancer, obesity, liver disease, and hormone exposure all raise the risk in men.
  • Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor, often followed by radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy depending on the cancer's stage and type.

Who is at higher risk for breast cancer

Age is the strongest risk factor. Men in their 60s and 70s develop breast cancer more often than younger men, though it can occur at any age. A family history of breast cancer — especially in a mother, sister, or daughter — raises risk significantly. Men who carry a BRCA mutation (a genetic change that affects how cells repair damage) have a much higher chance of developing breast cancer than men without it.

Other factors that increase risk include obesity, cirrhosis or other liver disease, Klinefelter syndrome (a genetic condition affecting testosterone levels), and a history of radiation to the chest. Men who take estrogen or have been exposed to estrogen-like chemicals also face higher risk. Alcohol use and smoking may contribute as well, though the evidence is less clear than for other factors.

Signs and symptoms to watch for

The most common sign is a lump or thickening in the breast or chest area, usually painless. Men may also notice dimpling or puckering of the skin, a change in the nipple (such as inversion or pulling inward), discharge from the nipple, or redness or scaling. Some men experience pain or tenderness, though this is less common.

Because men have less breast tissue, a lump may be more noticeable and easier to feel than in women. Any of these changes should be reported to a doctor, even though most breast lumps in men are not cancer — many are gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue due to hormones or medication) or benign cysts. A doctor can determine what needs further investigation.

How doctors diagnose breast cancer in men

A doctor will start with a physical exam, feeling the breast and lymph nodes and asking about symptoms and family history. If a lump or abnormality is found, imaging is usually the next step. Mammography (a low-dose X-ray of the breast) is the standard first imaging test, though men may also have an ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create a picture of the tissue.

If imaging shows something suspicious, a biopsy is performed — a small sample of tissue is removed with a needle or during a minor procedure and examined under a microscope. This is the only way to confirm whether cancer is present. If cancer is found, additional tests such as blood work, CT scans, or bone scans may be done to determine whether it has spread beyond the breast.

Stages and what they mean

Breast cancer is staged from 0 to 4, based on the size of the tumor, whether it has spread to lymph nodes, and whether it has spread to distant parts of the body. Stage 0 means abnormal cells are present but have not invaded surrounding tissue. Stages 1 and 2 are early-stage cancers, usually confined to the breast or nearby lymph nodes. Stage 3 means the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or chest wall. Stage 4 means it has spread to other organs such as the lungs, liver, or bones.

The stage, along with the type of cancer cells and whether they have hormone receptors, guides treatment decisions. Early-stage cancers generally have better outcomes than advanced ones, which is one reason catching it sooner matters. A doctor will explain the stage and what it means for treatment options.

Treatment options for male breast cancer

Surgery is almost always the first step. A mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) is the most common procedure for men, since male breasts are small and removing the whole breast does not require reconstruction the way it often does for women. Some men may have a lumpectomy (removal of just the tumor and surrounding tissue) followed by radiation, though this is less common.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells and is often given after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence. Chemotherapy (drugs that kill cancer cells throughout the body) may be recommended if the cancer is large, has spread to lymph nodes, or is at high risk of returning. Hormone therapy is used if the cancer has hormone receptors — these drugs block estrogen or lower its levels in the body. Some cancers are treated with targeted drugs that attack specific mutations.

Treatment plans are tailored to each man's cancer type, stage, age, and overall health. A doctor will discuss the goals of treatment (cure, control, or symptom relief) and the side effects of each option.

Genetic testing and family risk

If a man is diagnosed with breast cancer, genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is often recommended. These genes normally help repair damaged DNA, but mutations in them raise the risk of breast and other cancers. Men who carry a BRCA mutation have about a 6 to 7 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer — much higher than the general male population.

If a man carries a BRCA mutation, his relatives (both male and female) may also carry it and should consider testing. Women in the family with a BRCA mutation face significantly higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer. A genetic counselor can explain what testing involves and what results mean for family members.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the survival rate for male breast cancer?

Survival depends on the stage at diagnosis. Men diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer have five-year survival rates similar to women with early-stage disease — often above 90 percent. Advanced cancers have lower survival rates. Because men often catch it later, outcomes can differ, but treatment advances continue to improve survival across all stages.

Can men get breast cancer from deodorant or other products?

There is no scientific evidence that deodorant, antiperspirant, or other personal care products cause breast cancer in men or women. The main risk factors are age, family history, genetic mutations, obesity, and hormone exposure. If you have concerns about a specific product, a doctor can discuss what the research actually shows.

Do men need to do self-exams to check for breast cancer?

There is no strong evidence that routine self-exams reduce breast cancer deaths in men or women. However, being aware of how your chest normally looks and feels is reasonable. If you notice a new lump, dimpling, discharge, or other change, report it to a doctor rather than waiting to see if it goes away.

Is breast cancer in men more aggressive than in women?

Male breast cancer is not inherently more aggressive, but men are often diagnosed at a later stage because the disease is unexpected. This later stage at diagnosis can make outcomes appear worse. When caught at the same stage, survival rates are similar between men and women.

Can a man with breast cancer still have children?

Treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation can affect fertility, but many men remain fertile after treatment or can preserve sperm before starting therapy. A doctor or fertility specialist can discuss options before treatment begins if having biological children is important to you.