By Augustus Chris

Cancer is a potential life-threatening ailment, it encircles over 100 diseases which includes breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate, lymphoma etc, our focus is on Breast cancer in men.

Breast cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that develops from breast tissue. The cells clusters and compose a mass referred to as tumour. Though this type of cancer is mostly common in women, it can also affect men. The risk for breast cancer is very low in men. 1 in every 1,000 men with an average risk of the disease will develop breast cancer.

Most breast cancers develop from damage in a person’s genes that occurs by chance after birth. The following factors can raise a man’s risk of breast cancer.

Family history /presence of a genetic mutation

Men may have inherited a mutation in the genes BRCA1, BRCA2, or other genes, this can increase the risk for breast cancer. Men with BRCA2 gene mutations have a 6 in 100 chance of developing breast cancer, whereas men with BRCA1 gene mutations have a 1 in 100 chance of developing breast cancer. 1 in every 5 men with breast cancer has a family history of the disease. Men with breast cancer are advised meet to a genetic counsellor to discuss genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 and other inherited cancer risk genes.

Age

The age of 65 is an average age for men to be diagnosed with breast cancer. This age is also a factor that influence breast cancer in both men and women. Men approaching the age of 65 should go for regular checkup in order not to be taken unawares.

High estrogen levels

Certain diseases, conditions, or treatments can increase the levels of female hormones such as estrogen, which contributes to the development of breast cancer. Men are advised to be conscious of estrogen-related drug especially those undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

Klinefelters syndrome

This a rare genetic condition in which men are born with an extra X chromosome. Men with this syndrome may have an increased risk of breast cancer because they have higher levels of estrogen and lower levels of male hormones called androgens.

Liver disease

Cirrhosis can change hormone levels and cause low levels of androgens and higher levels of estrogens. This can cause breast cancer.

Low doses of estrogen-related drugs

Treatment of prostate cancer with this kind of drugs may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer while undergoing the treatment always go for examinations for breast cancer.

Lifestyle factors

As with other types of cancer, studies continue to show that various lifestyle factors may contribute to the development of breast cancer.

Obesity or overweight

This increases the risk of breast cancer it is important to check your weight in order to prevent cancer.

Lack of exercise

This may increase the risk of breast cancer because exercise lowers hormone levels, alters metabolism, and boosts the immune system. Increased physical activity is associated with a decreased risk of developing breast cancer.

Alcoholic Intake

Drinking 2 or more alcoholic drinks per day may raise the risk of breast cancer. However, this risk factor has not been studied in men, but there are no much risk factor difference between men and women breast cancer. Reduce your consumption of alcohol.

Knowing your risk factors and talking about them with your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health care choices.