More
men are developing breast cancer - but most fail to spot tumours
until they are at an advanced stage, a study has warned.
University
of Texas research found that, while men are far less likely
to develop breast tumours than women, the numbers are increasing.
Writing in an online edition of the journal Cancer, they warn
men seem to be unaware they can develop the cancer.
Breast
cancer is usually thought of as a 'woman's disease'
UK
experts said the cancer was rare, but men should be aware
of changes.
It is important to visit your GP straight away if you notice
any change in your body that is not normal.
Henry Scowcroft, Cancer Research UK The researchers looked
at a National Cancer Institute data on cancer incidence and
survival in the US from 1973 to 1998.
They found that, over the last 20 years, the incidence of
male breast cancer had increased from 0.86 to 1.08 per 100,000
men.
They then examined 2,524 cases of male breast cancer and 380,856
cases of female breast cancer on the database, diagnosed over
that period.
The researchers found that compared to female patients, men
tended to be significantly older when they were diagnosed
- 67 years versus 62 years of age.
They were also more likely to have later stage disease and
had more spread of the cancer to their lymph nodes.
'Easier to spot'
Professor Sharon Giordano, who led the research, said: "Male
breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than one per cent
of all breast cancer."
But she said: "Men should be alert to the possibility that
the disease could affect them."
Professor Giordano added: "It's perhaps ironic that tumours
in men are easier to feel than they are in women, yet the
disease is being discovered at a later stage in men than in
women."
The researchers say that part of the reason for late diagnosis
may be that men assume they are experiencing a benign condition
called gynecomastia, or breast tissue growth, that affects
about a third of males at some point in their lives.
The condition, which is common in teenage boys, can come and
go over a man's lifetime.
Professor Giordano said: "Men may think new growth of breast
tissue is just another occurrence of this condition." The
team also found that men often had more larger tumours which
had spread further and more aggressive forms of cancer when
they were diagnosed.
However, survival rates for men and women were no different.
The researchers said men were more likely than women to have
oestrogen-positive tumours.
Professor Giordano: "We are not sure why this is so, but it
may indicate some important differences in tumour biology.
"In addition, this implies that use of tamoxifen in men may
be as beneficial as it is to many women."
She added: "Now that we have a clearer understanding of the
biology of breast cancer in men, further research is needed
to determine the optimal treatment for men."
'Campaigns aimed at women'
Henry Scowcroft, Science Information Officer at Cancer Research
UK said: "Breast cancer is very rare among UK men, and when
it does occur, it tends to do so between the ages of 60 and
70.
"Only about 300 men are diagnosed with the disease each year,
compared with about 41,000 new cases in women. Because of
this, most breast cancer awareness campaigns are aimed at
women.
"While Cancer Research UK does not recommend that men, especially
young men, examine themselves regularly, it is important to
visit your GP straight away if you notice any change in your
body that is not normal."
More
men are developing breast cancer - but most fail to spot tumours
until they are at an advanced stage, a study has warned.
