Breast cancer: Not only for women

If you’re a guy who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer, or if you know someone who has, you may be more than a little bit startled. But despite the fact that it’s rare in men (affecting just 0.1% of men overall), the American Cancer Society estimates that about 2,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer in men were diagnosed in 2023. 

But there’s good news too: The five-year survival rate for guys with breast cancer is 83%. And the earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the better. The five-year survival jumps up to 100% for those who catch their cancer before it has spread.    

Knowledge is power. Be informed and increase your chances of catching breast cancer early on. Here’s the scoop on risk, diagnosis, and treatment.  

Step 1: Get the full picture 

After you’ve been diagnosed, your doctor, an entire team of technicians, and other practitioners will go over the results of all your tests. They’ll do some more tests to figure out how quickly your cancer might grow and how likely it is to have spread. 

They’ll put all this valuable information together to determine your cancer’s stage (numbered from 0 to 4).  

You’ll also learn specifics about your tumor, with a ranking system known as TNM. This tells you about the tumor’s size, its movement into your lymph nodes, and if it's spread into other parts of your body. Another important piece of data will tell you whether your cancer cells contain certain hormone receptors that can influence your treatment. 

That’s a lot of information. Be sure to keep copies of your test results so you can refer to everything later, as you need to make decisions.  

Step 2: Decide on a treatment option 

You may be prescribed a specific type of treatment based on the type of breast cancer you have, the stage, your preferences based on the method of treatment, and what the side effects are. Here's a breakdown of the types of treatments your doctor may discuss with you:  

• Surgery. This involves removing either your entire breast or certain portions, as with a lumpectomy.
• Chemotherapy. Cancer-fighting chemicals are injected into your veins, or in some cases, directly into the spinal fluid. Some can also be ingested orally.
• Radiation. Cancer cells are eliminated via high beam radioactive energy.
• Hormone therapy. Used most often after surgery, hormone therapy works to prevent cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow and ultimately reduces the chance that cancer will return.
• Targeted therapy. This treatment uses drugs or other substances to eliminate specific cancer cells — while leaving normal cells alone.

Most likely, your doctor will recommend one, or a combination, of these treatments, depending on the stage and type of breast cancer you have. 

Step 3: Don’t fret too much about vomiting with chemo 

Assume you’ll be vomiting constantly? That’s a myth, says Andrea Kassem, a breast care nurse navigator with Baptist Health System in San Antonio, Texas. Most doctors supply medications to prevent nausea, vomiting, and other allergic reactions. “We’ve come a long way in the journey of breast cancer,” says Kassem. “There are so many medications that can alleviate side effects even before they start.” 

Step 4: Breathe and reframe your mindset   

You’ve been through a lot, and you’ve got some challenges still ahead of you. But keep in mind the promising survival rates associated with male breast cancer and the excellent new treatments. Work carefully with your cancer team to manage and minimize any physical side effects of your treatments. And reach out to a counselor or support group for help in coping with the emotional side effects. 

Kassem coaches breast cancer patients to focus on the good that the breast cancer treatment is doing to help eliminate cancer from their body, as opposed to the negative side effects it may create. “Try to look at it differently,” she stresses. “This is a treatment that’s going to help you live a long, happy, [and] healthy life.” 

A breast cancer diagnosis can naturally feel jarring. And you'll have plenty of questions. Remember: You’ve got a team behind you, working together for the best possible outcome. So take a deep breath. You’ve got this. 

Step 5: Dress for infusion 

Wear what makes you feel comfortable. You’ll be sitting, and possibly sleeping, for several hours, so keep that in mind when getting dressed. Depending on where your port or IV is located, you’ll want to dress so that the nurse can easily access it. For ports, opt for low V-neck T-shirts or sweaters. For arm IVs, wear shirts with loose or short sleeves. If you’re unsure where the port will be located, ask your doctor or nurse. 

Step 6: Reach out to support services  

Cancer care centers often have several specialists who can address various side effects of breast cancer treatment, including a nutritionist who can recommend different foods and recipes to deal with changing taste preferences. Additionally, a psycho-oncologist or social worker can help you manage symptoms of depression, while your nurse navigator can help address any gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea or constipation. 

Step 7: Lean on your care team  

Regardless of the side effect, your cancer care team is there to help you 24/7. If you’re feeling miserable at home, a nurse navigator or your oncologist can provide recommendations for over-the-counter treatments over the phone, or call in a prescription to your pharmacy. 

“If we can nip a symptom sooner versus later, we can manage it better,” says Kassem. “If you go through your first chemo cycle and get certain side effects, tell that to your physician. We’ve got a lot of pre-medications we can tweak to make the next cycle better.” 

If you have a fever that spikes to 100.5 degrees, or you experience any unusual or rare side effect(s) listed in the paperwork, call your cancer care team immediately. They can let you know about next steps. 

Step 8: Focus on fitness 

Undergoing cancer treatment of any kind can make you feel tired and fatigued. If you need to nap, listen to your body. However, don’t overlook the role that regular fitness can play in your recovery. Walking just 30 minutes a day can give you more energy and help with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems, says Kassem. Research also shows that mild forms of exercise can decrease the chances of breast cancer recurrence. 

“I really advocate for patients to be as healthy as possible,” says Kassem. “The better they eat and the more they move, the better they’re going to feel throughout treatment.” 

Above all, communication is key when it comes to managing chemo and other treatment side effects, says Kassem. “It’s not something you’re supposed to be miserable throughout. We want you to be able to live with as much normalcy [as possible] and fulfill life goals.” 

If you've had surgery to treat your breast cancer, however, it's important to not rush fitness. Talk to your doctor about the level of activity you should be sticking to in the days, weeks, and months following the operation.  

Step 9: Consider genetic testing for the future  

While inherited mutations in several genes contribute to the chance of getting breast cancer as a man, the most common hereditary form is a result of faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. 

In normal cells, these genes act as tumor suppressors and work to help prevent cancer. For men with a BRCA1 mutation or  BRCA2 mutation, their lifetime risk of breast cancer increases. These may also put you at a greater risk for prostate and pancreatic cancer.  

In the general male population, the average risk of developing prostate cancer is about 14%. For those with the BRCA1 mutation, the risk is increased to up to 16%. For the BRCA2 mutation, the risk goes up to 25% to 30%. 

To a lesser extent, BRCA mutations also contribute to an increased risk of melanoma and pancreatic cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.