Male breast cancer: an insightful guide

Written by: Dr Claire Baldry
Published:
Edited by: Conor Lynch

In one of our latest articles, Dr Claire Baldry, a highly esteemed consultant clinical oncologist, speaks to us in detail about male breast cancer, including the symptoms, how it is usually detected, and the various treatment options.

Are some men more at risk of breast cancer than others?

Yes. Some men may be more at risk of breast cancer. Men with a strong family history of breast cancer, or with inherited genetic changes such as the BRCA1 and 2 genes are typically at a higher risk. Men with Klinefelter syndrome (a rare condition caused by an extra X chromosome) may also be at increased risk. As with women, the risk of breast cancer increases with age. Being overweight or obese, as well as drinking alcohol, are both associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in both men and women.

 

What are the symptoms of male breast cancer?

The symptoms of breast cancer are similar in men and women. Patients may notice a lump in their breast or underarm area (the axilla), or notice changes in the skin of the breast such as puckering, lumpiness, redness, or sores.

 

How is breast cancer detected?

A mammogram is the first step, followed by an ultrasound and possibly a biopsy of the area.

 

What are the treatment options?

Treatment will largely depend on the stage and particular type of cancer. Just as in women, most male breast cancers are positive for oestrogen receptors (ER) which means that the cells grow and divide in response to oestrogen in the body.

 

If cancer is localised, treatment usually includes surgery. For men, a mastectomy is performed, rather than a lumpectomy, which is performed in women. Mastectomy involves removal of all the breast tissue, plus the nipple and some skin. Other treatment options include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy.

 

For cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic disease), then treatment is offered to control the cancer, but not to cure it. Again, the treatment depends on the type of cancer, but may be based on either hormone treatment or chemotherapy. For many metastatic breast cancers, treatment is successful and can control the cancer for a long period of time.

 

The results of treatment will depend on the exact type of cancer, and you can discuss this with your oncologist. You will usually be monitored with scans to ensure that the treatment is effective.

 

To book a consultation with Dr Claire Baldry, simply head on over to her Top Doctors profile today

By Dr Claire Baldry
Clinical oncology

Dr Claire Baldry is a highly respected consultant clinical oncologist based in Sheffield. She specialises in the non-surgical treatment of breast cancer and practises at Sheffield Oncology, a renowned centre of excellence in cancer treatment.

Dr Baldry was attained a first-class degree in physiological sciences from the University of Oxford, where her excellence was recognised with an award for her work on cancer biology. Following this, she qualified in medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 2005 before undergoing further training in clinical oncology at various hospitals in London and East Anglia, including Guy’s and St. Thomas’. She was later appointed as a fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists, being only the third person to win gold medals in both parts of her examination. In 2016, she began working as a consultant clinical oncologist at Weston Park Cancer Centre. Dr Baldry currently sees private patients at Sheffield Oncology, BMI Thornbury.

Dr Baldry has a number of teaching responsibilities, including as an undergraduate tutor for medical trainees within the oncology department at Weston Park Cancer Centre and an examiner for the Royal College of Radiologists. She is also involved in training fellow medical professionals, including on a European course for surgeons.

Dr Baldry has recently contributed to several medical textbooks on the management of breast cancer. She also produces guidelines on radiotherapy at a regional level and is a voting member for national frameworks in the field as well as being involved in national auditing. She is a member of several esteemed professional organisations including the UK Breast Cancer Group and the British Medical Association.

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