Symptoms
Main symptoms of breast cancer in men
Symptoms of breast cancer in men may include:
- a lump or swelling in your chest or armpit
- liquid leaking from your nipples (nipple discharge), which may have blood in it
- changes in the size or shape of either side of your chest
- sores or ulcers on your chest
- a change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a rash on it (may look like eczema)
It's important to check your chest regularly so you know what's normal for you. This makes it easier to notice any changes in the size, look or feel of your chest or nipples.
See a GP if:
- you have a lump or swelling in your chest or armpit
- you have nipple discharge from either nipple
- you have any changes in your chest or nipples that are not normal for you
Important
Some of these symptoms, including lumps, are common and can be caused by other conditions.
Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have breast cancer, but it's important to get checked by a GP.
If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat.
Symptoms of secondary breast cancer
If breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body it's called secondary breast cancer.
The symptoms depend on which part of the body the cancer has spread to. It can spread anywhere, but it most commonly affects the bones, liver, lungs or brain.
You may also have general symptoms including:
- feeling tired or having no energy
- loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- feeling unwell with no clear cause
- feeling or being sick
- difficulty sleeping
Find out more
What happens at your appointment
The GP will ask about your symptoms. They may also ask about any breast screening you've had before, and if anyone in your family has had breast cancer.
If you have a lump or unusual changes, the GP may ask to look at and examine your chest.
You'll need to undress from the waist up, behind a screen. You can have a friend, family member or another member of staff in the room with you during the examination if you want.
Referral to a breast clinic
You may get an urgent referral for more tests or to see a specialist in hospital if the GP thinks you have symptoms that could be cancer. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.
Who can get it
Who is more likely to get breast cancer
Anyone can get breast cancer and it's not always clear what causes it.
In men, you might be more likely to get it if you:
- are over 60
- have other people in your family who've had breast or ovarian cancer – you may have inherited a faulty gene, such as a faulty BRCA gene
- have had radiotherapy to your chest before
- have had a condition that affected or damaged your testicles (such as undescended testicles, or mumps as an adult)
- had surgery to remove one of both of your testicles
- work in a hot environment like a steel works (this can damage your testicles, which can increase your risk of breast cancer)
You may also be more likely to get it if you have higher levels of the hormone oestrogen. This may be more likely if you:
- have long-term damage to your liver, such as cirrhosis
- have obesity or are overweight
- have a condition called Klinefelter syndrome
Many breast cancers are also linked to lifestyle, such as smoking.
If you're trans or non-binary
If you're a trans man, trans woman or are non-binary, how likely you are to get breast cancer depends on if you've had surgery, and if you're taking hormones.
If you were assigned female at birth
If you were assigned female at birth and you've had top surgery (surgery to remove the breasts and have male chest reconstruction), you may be less likely to get breast cancer.
Removing the breasts may lower your chance of getting breast cancer compared to a cis-gendered women, though it may still be higher than a cis-gendered man.
If you've not had top surgery to remove the breasts and are between 50 and 71, you should be able to have breast screening (mammogram).
Breast Cancer UK has more information about being transgender and breast cancer risk
If you were assigned male at birth
If you were assigned male at birth, you may be more likely to get breast cancer if you've been taking feminising hormones for longer than 2 years.
These hormones may increase your chance of getting breast cancer compared to a cis-gendered man, though it may still be lower than that of a cis-gendered woman.
If you've been taking feminising hormones for longer than 2 years and are between 50 and 71, you should be able to have breast screening (mammogram).
Breast Cancer UK has more information about being transgender and breast cancer risk
How to reduce your risk of getting breast cancer
You cannot always prevent breast cancer, but there are things you can do to lower your chance of getting breast cancer.
Do
- try to cut down on alcohol and avoid drinking more than 14 units a week
- try to lose weight if you are overweight
- try to quit smoking
Genetic testing for breast cancer risk
If any of your close relatives have had breast or ovarian cancer, you may be eligible for an NHS genetic test.
A genetic test will check to see if you have a faulty gene which increases your risk of getting cancer, such as a faulty BRCA gene.
Speak to a GP about genetic testing if breast or ovarian cancer run in your family.
The GP may ask about:
- who and how many people in your family have had cancer
- the type of cancer they had
- how old they were when they were diagnosed
- if your family member is available for genetic testing or has been tested before
The GP will refer you to a specialist breast clinic or genetics clinic for assessment if they think you are at increased risk.
You can also have NHS genetic testing for faulty BRCA genes if you're 18 years or older and have 1 or more Jewish grandparent.
Find out more
Treatments if you're at increased risk
If you have a higher risk of getting breast cancer because you have a faulty gene, there are some treatments that can help reduce your risk.
A doctor or genetic counsellor will discuss your options with you and explain the benefits and possible side effects.
Treatments to reduce your risk include:
- medicines
- surgery to remove your breast tissue (mastectomy) – this may be offered if you are at very high risk
Testing
Main tests for breast cancer
You may be referred to a breast clinic if a GP thinks you have possible breast cancer symptoms that need investigating.
At the breast clinic, you will have more tests and scans to check for breast cancer or other breast conditions. These may include:
- an examination of your chest
- an X-ray of your breast tissue (mammogram)
- an ultrasound of your breast tissue
- taking a small sample of cells (biopsy), usually using a needle, to test for breast cancer and look for certain proteins in the breast cancer cells (which can help decide which treatments are best)
You may not need all these tests. You will usually have all the tests you need in 1 visit at the breast clinic.
Getting your results
The breast clinic should let you know when and how you'll get your tests results. Some may be available that day. Others, such as a biopsy, can take several weeks.
You can call the hospital or your GP if you're worried and they may be able to update you if your results are ready.
If you're told you have breast cancer
Being told you have breast cancer can feel overwhelming. You may be feeling anxious about what will happen.
You'll be helped through your diagnosis and treatment by a team of specialists.
This team will include a clinical nurse specialist who will be your main point of contact during and after your treatment. You can ask them any questions you may have.
Get support
Macmillan Cancer Support has a free helpline that's open every day from 8am to 8pm.
They're there to listen if you have anything you want to talk about.
Call 0808 808 00 00.
Next steps
If you've been told you have breast cancer, you may need more tests. These can include:
- a chest X-ray
- scans, such as a CT scan, MRI scan, or a bone scan
- blood tests
You may not have all these tests.
The results of these tests will help show how far the cancer has spread, what type of breast cancer it is, and if the cancer has been caused by certain changes in your genes.
The specialists will use the results of these tests and talk to you about the best treatment for you.
Treatment
Main treatments for breast cancer
The treatment you'll have for breast cancer depends on:
- the size and type of breast cancer you have
- where it is
- if it has spread to other parts of your body
- your general health
The main treatment for breast cancer is usually surgery. You may also have chemotherapy, radiotherapy, treatment with hormones (hormone therapy), and targeted medicines.
The specialist care team looking after you will:
- explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
- work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
- talk to you about how treatment may affect you, for instance if there are any side effects
You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.
If you have any symptoms or side effects that you are worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.
Surgery
Surgery is usually the main treatment for breast cancer.
Surgery can include:
- removing the whole breast and nipple (mastectomy) – this is the most common surgery for breast cancer in men and usually involves removing lymph nodes in your armpit (these are small glands that are part of the body's immune system)
- removing just the cancer and some breast tissue around it – this may mean the nipple does not need to be removed
If you've had a nipple removed, you may choose to have the surgeon make a new nipple. They may be able to do this using skin from another part of your body, or by tattooing a new nipple.
You will need to wait a few months after the mastectomy.
You can also get stick on nipples. A nurse will be able to give you advice about these.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells.
You may have radiotherapy for breast cancer:
- after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
- if you have secondary breast cancer
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.
You may have chemotherapy for breast cancer:
- before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
- after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
- if you have secondary breast cancer
Hormone therapy
Some breast cancers are affected by different hormones in the body, which can make them grow faster.
Hormone therapy uses medicines to either:
- lower the amount of certain hormones in the body
- block certain hormones from getting to breast cancer cells
Hormone therapy may be used:
- before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
- after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
- if you have secondary breast cancer
Targeted medicines
Targeted medicines kill cancer cells.
Targeted medicines may be used:
- to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
- if you have secondary breast cancer
What happens if you've been told your cancer cannot be cured
If you've been diagnosed with secondary or advanced breast cancer, it may be hard to treat and not possible to cure.
The aim of treatment will be to slow down the spread of the cancer, to help with the symptoms, help you feel better and help you live longer.
This can help many people live a normal life for a number of years.
Finding out cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.
You'll be referred to a team of doctors and nurses called a symptom control team or palliative care team.
They will help you to manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.
The palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any other support you need.