Yes, men can also get breast cancer. Men have breast tissues like women and they can also get the types of cancers women might have. Everyone is at risk of incurring breast cancer and this article answers the question, what are the risk factors for breast cancer in men?
While medical practitioners are still baffled by the exact causes of breast cancer occurrence in men, several factors have been identified that increase the risk of getting the illness.
What are the risk factors for breast cancer in men?
•Age
Men who are between 60 to 70 years of age are at higher risks of contracting breast cancer.
•Family History
The risk of you getting breast cancer is higher when you have a family member (blood relatives) who had breast cancer. Studies show that 1 out of 5 men diagnosed to have breast cancer have a male or female blood relative with the same condition.
•Exposure to Radiation
If you have been treated radiation for a certain disease, chances are you are at risk of contracting the disease.
•Liver Disease
Cirrhosis of the liver and other liver diseases are additional risk factors. The liver has a major role in the metabolism of the sex hormones because it binds proteins that carry these hormones. If you have severe cirrhosis of the liver, your androgen levels will be at its lowest while your estrogen levels will increase, thus putting you at risk at contracting breast cancer.
•Exposure to Estrogen
If you have been taking estrogen-related drugs, you are most likely to get breast cancer. Drugs with estrogen are used as part of the hormone therapy of men with prostate cancer. Men who are undergoing a sex-change procedure also take estrogen-related drugs.
•The Klinefelter’s Syndrome
Kindefelter’s Syndrome is a congenital condition which affects 1 out of 1,000 men. It is characterized by having a single Y chromosome and at least 2 X chromosomes, there are cases where there would be 4 X chromosomes found. The normal composition for men is 1 X and Y chromosomes each while for women there would at least be 2 X chromosomes. Men who have this condition have lower androgen levels thus they are more likely to develop gynecomastia or benign breast growth.
•Obesity
Just like in women, obesity poses a risk in men. Obesity is related to breast cancer because the fat cells are said to convert the androgen hormones into estrogen hormones. Obese men are more likely to have an increased estrogen level.
•Alcohol
Too much alcohol drinking is also a risk factor because of its effects on the liver.
•Testicular Conditions
There are studies that those with undescended testicle, those who had mumps in their adult age, or if one has underwent surgery to remove testicles are likely to get breast cancer.
•Occupation-Related
There are reports about certain occupations to being risk. If you work in steels mills and constantly exposed to higher temperatures, you are likely to contract breast cancer.
This answers your perennial questions of what are the risk factors for breast cancer in men.
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