How to recognize breast cancer in men

Video: How to Check for the Signs of Male Breast Cancer | Lorraine

Content

Steps
Method 1 of 3: Symptoms
Method 2 of 3: Breast Self Examination
Method 3 of 3: Diagnosis and Treatment
Tips
Warnings
Similar articles

Most often, breast cancer develops in women, but it is also possible in men. Breast cancer is rare in men, but the consequences can be the same as in all cancers. However, if detected early, this cancer can be treated and full recovery is possible. By identifying the symptoms and doing a self-examination, you can recognize cancer and seek treatment on time.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Symptoms

1 Be aware of the possible risk of developing cancer. Doctors do not know what exactly causes cancer, but certain factors are known to increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Knowing what increases your risk can help you get checked regularly and see a doctor.The following factors increase the risk of developing breast cancer in men:
- Age. Most affected men develop cancer between the ages of 68 and 71.
- Elevated levels of estrogen in the blood (either due to medication after sex reassignment surgery or hormonal treatment for prostate cancer).
- Heredity. If you have a close male relative who has been diagnosed with the disease, you are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
- Klinefelter's syndrome, in which the body produces fewer male hormones and more female hormones.
- Liver disease, including cirrhosis, in which the level of female hormones in the blood rises.
- Overweight.
- Exposure to radiation on the chest.
- Testicular disease or testicular surgery.
2 Know the possible signs of breast cancer. Although many men rarely think about breast health, breast cancer has characteristic signs. You may have stumbled upon them while dressing or showering. The following symptoms are signs of cancer:
- Thickening of the breast tissue.
- Painful lump in the chest.
- Changes in the surface of the skin, including dimples, wrinkling, redness, and flaking.
- Sunken nipple.
- Clear or bloody nipple discharge.
- Chest pain.
- Wounds on the nipple or areola.
- Swollen lymph nodes under the arm.
3 Examine your breasts for unusual signs. Cancer can cause unusual growths on the skin. If you keep an eye on the condition of your breasts, you will be able to conduct an independent examination in time and consult a doctor.
- Examine your breasts and the skin on your breasts regularly to make it easier for you to spot changes in time. Stand in front of a mirror and examine your breasts at least once a week or once a month, especially if you know you are at increased risk of developing this condition. Compare your breasts to each other, and pay attention to changes in shape and texture. Feel your breasts if you notice any unusual changes.
- If you have symptoms of breast cancer, see your doctor. The sooner you are diagnosed and treated, the better your chances of recovery.
4 Pay attention to pain and discharge. It is important not only to examine the skin, but also to pay attention to the sensations in the chest. Also be aware of the possibility of clear or bloody discharge. All of these symptoms can indicate breast cancer, especially if they persist for a long time.
- Pay attention to damp spots on shirts and T-shirts - they can be a sign of discharge. If you examine your breasts regularly, you can see the discharge visually.
- Consider if you feel pain when walking around in clothes, touching your skin, or exercising.
5 Discuss symptoms with your romantic partner. If you notice a change, talk to your partner. This person may be able to see symptoms or differences that you yourself do not notice. He or she can help you self-examine, see new changes, and support you during your treatment.
- Be honest with your partner and be honest about your concerns and symptoms. Ask if your partner has noticed the change. For example, you can say this: "My nipple peels off, and sometimes there is a clear discharge from the nipple. Have you noticed this? Can you help me to get a closer look at the skin?"
6 Know what gynecomastia is. If your breasts are enlarged on both sides, it means that you have gynecomastia. This is not breast cancer, although the breast may enlarge significantly. The most common causes of gynecomastia are drugs, excessive alcohol consumption, marijuana use, and weight gain. Gynecomastia does not mean you have cancer, but there have been studies that indicate that this condition may increase your risk of cancer. If you are worried about breast augmentation, make an appointment with your doctor.

Method 2 of 3: Breast Self Examination

1 Be a confident man. Although breast cancer rarely develops in men, if you have a predisposition or symptoms, self-examination should be done regularly. Do not hesitate to monitor your health and do not feel that it makes you less masculine. Breast cancer can affect people of both sexes, and neither cancer nor self-examination affects your masculinity in any way.
2 Take a warm shower or bath. It is best to feel your breasts after a warm shower or bath. The warmth smoothes the skin and makes it easier to feel.
- In the shower, do a preliminary inspection. You can examine and feel your breasts while showering or bathing.
3 Press on the breast tissue. You should methodically probe all areas of your chest. Feel your breasts one at a time with your opposite hand. Start at the armpit and then work your way across your chest, checking all the tissues.
- Lie on a bed, floor, or table to distribute breast tissue evenly.
- Place your fingers on your chest. Then start pressing on the fabric in a circular motion. Start at the very top edge of your breast and work your way up to the nipple. Work all over your chest and then repeat on the other side.
- Feel for all the seals and remember where you found them. This will help the doctor find them faster on examination. Examine your skin carefully for other signs, including wrinkles, pits, and flaking.
4 Examine the nipples. When probing your breasts, examine your nipples. Assess the condition of the skin, feel it with your fingers, lightly press on the nipple and see if there is a discharge from there.

Method 3 of 3: Diagnosis and Treatment

1 See your doctor. If you find yourself showing symptoms of breast cancer or if you know you have a predisposition, see your doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis will increase your chances of successful treatment and recovery.
- Make an appointment so that your doctor can give you the right amount of time.
- Tell your doctor about any symptoms you have, including visual changes and changes in skin texture. Tell your doctor about lumps and other abnormalities that you notice during your self-examination.
- Answer all doctor's questions. If the doctor does not have all the information, he will not be able to make the correct diagnosis.
2 Get tested. If your doctor suspects breast cancer, they will order tests for you. The biopsy and scans can help the doctor identify cancer, determine the extent of the disease, and prescribe treatment.
- Let your doctor examine you and feel your breasts. The doctor will use his fingers to probe the breast for lumps and other formations in the breast and surrounding tissues. The examination will allow the doctor to determine the size of the lumps, their texture, and proximity to the skin and muscles. If you feel pain during the exam, tell your doctor.
- Get mammograms, ultrasounds, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging if your doctor prescribes these tests for you. The results of the examinations will help the doctor take a closer look at all abnormalities and determine the degree of cancer.
- Get a biopsy to get a tissue sample for analysis. During a biopsy, a thin needle is inserted into the tissue and takes a tissue sample for analysis. This procedure will help diagnose cancer and determine its type.
3 Start treatment. If tests show you have cancer, your doctor will prescribe treatment based on the extent of the disease. There are several types of breast cancer treatments, and all of them can cure the disease. Remember, how long the cancer is diagnosed determines how effective a treatment is.
- Talk to your doctor about treatment options and ask about your concerns. Ask questions about the diagnosis, the nature of the cancer, and the treatment for your case.
- Consider having surgery (mastectomy) to get rid of tumors and cancer cells. You may also need to remove the lymph node to see if the cancer has metastasized.
- Get radiation.When irradiated, cancer cells are destroyed using high-intensity beams (such as X-rays). In some cases, a combination of mastectomy and radiation is used.
- Get chemotherapy. In chemotherapy, cancer cells are destroyed by drugs that are taken in pills or given intravenously. Chemotherapy can also be used in conjunction with surgery. It is suitable for the treatment of more serious cancers.
- If your cancer responds to hormones, get hormone therapy. This is usually the case with tamoxifen, which is also prescribed for women with breast cancer. But remember that other drugs used in hormone therapy for women do not work for men.
- Try drugs that target mutated areas in cancer cells. Herceptin and Avastin can slow down or even stop cell growth, but they can negatively affect the functioning of the heart.
- Ask your doctor if you can participate in a clinical trial of new cancer treatments. You may be offered a new treatment option that will eradicate cancer.
4 Deal with cancer. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, it will upset or even shock you. If you start to fight the disease, it will be easier for you to overcome stress and all the difficulties associated with this disease. Try the following:
- Talk to a loved one or doctor about your diagnosis.
- Pray or meditate to calm yourself.
- Exercise to improve your physical and emotional well-being.
- Take up music, art, dance. All of this will help you cope with emotional difficulties and feel better.
- Look for a peer support group for cancer patients.

Tips

The information in this article cannot replace medical advice and professional treatment.

Warnings

Take your symptoms seriously. If you are a man and you suspect you have breast cancer, see your doctor as soon as possible. Better to be safe.

Applying makeup to dark skin (girls)

It can be difficult for dark- kinned girl to find the right makeup. From choo ing the right hade of foundation to finding the eye hadow that will make your eye pop, it' important to know what make...

July 2024

Calculate the circumference and area of a circle

The circumference (C) of a circle i it circumference, or the di tance around it. The area (A) of a circle i how much pace the circle occupie or the area enclo ed by the circle. Both the area and the p...

Be beautiful

The word beautiful i u ually a ociated with what a face look like. But it i actually a much broader and more relational concept. You or omeone el e can look beautiful. That mean the face look almo t p...