• Breast cancer in men is the same disease which affects women^1,2.
• Breast cancer is rare in men - annually less than 1% of all breast cancer diagnosed in NZ is in men. This is about 20 men every year^1,2.
• Many people do not realise men can develop breast cancer. Men may feel embarrassed and isolated after diagnosis of a disease they didn't know they could get³.
• The overall survival rate for men with breast cancer is similar to women2. In NZ, the 5 year survival rate is 80-85%⁴
  
• Breast cancer symptoms in men can include:
  • A painless lump close to the nipple (most common symptom)
  • Fluid discharge from the nipple
  • A change in appearance of the nipple
  • A change in the shape or appearance of the breast, such as swelling or skin dimpling
  • Pain in the breast 
  • Lumps in the armpit (axilla)
• It is important that men see their doctor promptly if they notice any new changes in their breast³.
• The most common male breast cancer risk factors are:
  • Getting older^3,5
  • Having a strong family history of breast (and/or ovarian) cancer³
    
• Surgical treatment usually involves mastectomy and removal of lymph nodes from the axilla. . Reconstruction can be used to improve the appearance of the chest wall^5,6.
• Adjuvant treatment (after surgery) is the same as for women and may include hormonal manipulation, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or other targeted therapy⁵.
• The oft neglected psychological and social aspects of men having a woman's cancer are increasingly recognised internationally⁵, and recently online support groups for men have become available which provide information and reduce their sense of isolation⁷. 

References

1. Ministry of Health/NZHIS (April 2010). www.moh.govt.nz
2. Auckland Breast Cancer Study Group (2010, July). The Auckland Breast Cancer Patient Register/Poster: 1 June 2000 - 31 May 2008.
3. National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (2009). Breast cancer in men. www.nbocc.org.nz
4. Ministry of Health: Wellington (unpublished data) and OECD's ‘Health at a Glance 2007' Report. www.oecd.org
5. Agrawal, A., Ayantunde, A.A., Rampaul, R., Robertson, J.F.R. (2007). Male breast cancer: A review of clinical management. Breast Cancer Res Treat 103:11-21 and www.breastcancer.org
6. American Cancer Society (2010). Treating Breast Cancer in Men/Surgery www.cancer.org
7. Heisler, J. (2010, 7 August). Male breast cancer and surgery http://surgery.about.com

Download a copy of the 'Male Breast Cancer in New Zealand' fact sheet (PDF, 117Kb)