Yes, Breast Cancer Can Strike Men Too! (Continued from Page 1)
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November 2014 Yes, Breast Cancer Can Strike Inside This Issue Men Too! Male Breast Cancer 1-4 ale breast cancer is cancer that Faith in Pink 5 forms in the breast tissue of Tour de Mercy 6 Mmen. Though breast cancer is most commonly thought of as a woman's Mercy Homecare and Hospice Move 6 disease, male breast cancer does occur. Did You Know? 7 Dates to Remember 8 Male breast cancer is most common in older men, though male breast cancer can occur at any age. Help is Needed! Men diagnosed with male breast cancer If you have any suggestions for articles at an early stage have a good chance for the quarterly ANGEL Network for a cure. Still, many men delay seeing newsletter, contact Linda Stevens-Butts at their doctors if they notice unusual signs 330-452-6906 or email [email protected]. or symptoms, such as a breast lump. For Articles for the next newsletter are due by this reason, many male breast cancers January 2, 2015. are diagnosed when the disease is more advanced. E-Newsletter Available Signs and symptoms of male breast Want to receive the ANGEL newsletter cancer can include: electronically? Submit your email address • A painless lump or thickening in to [email protected]. Help your breast tissue us conserve our natural resources and • Changes to the skin covering your breast, such as dimpling, puckering, redness reduce printing and mailing costs. or scaling • Changes to your nipple, such as redness or scaling, or a nipple that begins to turn inward • Discharge from your nipple Supported in part by When to see a doctor Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you. (continued on page 2) Yes, Breast Cancer Can Strike Men Too! (continued from page 1) Causes It's not clear what causes male breast cancer. Doctors know that male breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do. The accumulating cells form a tumor that may spread (metastasize) to nearby tissue, to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body. Where breast cancer begins in men Everyone is born with a small amount of breast tissue. Breast tissue is made up of milk-producing glands (lobules), ducts that carry milk to the nipples and fat. Women begin developing more breast tissue during puberty and men do not. Because men are born with a small amount of breast tissue, they can develop breast cancer. Types of breast cancer diagnosed in men include: • Cancer that begins in the milk ducts. Ductal carcinoma is the most common type of male breast cancer. Nearly all male breast cancers begin in the milk ducts. • Cancer that begins in the milk-producing glands. Lobular carcinoma is rare in men because men have few • Exposure to estrogen. If you take estrogen-related lobules in their breast tissue. drugs, your risk of breast cancer is increased. Estrogen • Cancer that spreads to the nipple. In some cases, drugs may also be used in hormone therapy for prostate breast cancer can form in the milk ducts and spread to the cancer. nipple, causing crusty, scaly skin around the nipple. This • Family history of breast cancer. If you have a close is called Paget's disease of the nipple. family member with breast cancer, you have a greater chance of developing the disease. Inherited genes that increase breast cancer risk • Klinefelter's syndrome. This genetic syndrome occurs Some men inherit mutated genes from their parents that when a boy is born with more than one copy of the X increase the risk of breast cancer. Mutations in one of several chromosome. Klinefelter's syndrome causes abnormal genes, especially a gene called BRCA2, puts you at greater development of the testicles. As a result, men with this risk of developing breast and prostate cancers. The normal syndrome produce lower levels of certain male hormones function of these genes is to help prevent cancer by making (androgens) and more female hormones (estrogens). proteins that keep cells from growing abnormally. But if they • Liver disease. If you have liver disease, such as cirrhosis have a mutation, the genes aren't as effective at protecting of the liver, your male hormones may be reduced and you from cancer. your female hormones may be increased. This can increase your risk of breast cancer. Meeting with a genetic counselor and undergoing genetic • Obesity. Obesity may be a risk factor for breast cancer testing can determine whether you carry gene mutations that in men because it increases the number of fat cells in the increase your risk of breast cancer. Discuss the benefits and body. Fat cells convert androgens into estrogen, which risks of genetic testing with your doctor. may increase the amount of estrogen in your body and, therefore, your risk of breast cancer. Risk factors • Radiation exposure. If you've received radiation Factors that increase the risk of male breast cancer include: treatments to your chest, such as those used to treat • Older age. Breast cancer is most common in men ages cancers in the chest, you're more likely to develop breast 60 to 70. cancer later in life. 2 Tests and Diagnosis Diagnosing male breast cancer If breast cancer is suspected, your doctor may conduct a number of diagnostic tests and procedures such as: • Clinical breast exam. During this exam, your doctor uses his or her fingertips to examine your breasts and the areas around your armpits and your collarbone for lumps or other changes. Your doctor assesses how large the lumps are, how they feel, and how close they are to your skin and muscles. • Mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray of your breast tissue. To assess your breast tissue, your breast will be pressed flat as much as possible. During a mammogram, you stand in front of a machine with your shirt off. Two flat plastic plates come together to compress your breast tissue. A radiology technician takes the X-rays. The Treatments and drugs compression of the mammogram can be uncomfortable. To determine your male breast cancer treatment options, your Ask the technician what to expect and speak up if you're doctor considers your cancer's stage, your overall health and feeling pain. your preferences. Male breast cancer treatment often involves • Ultrasound. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create surgery and may also include other treatments. pictures of a suspicious breast mass. Your doctor may recommend an ultrasound in certain situations. Surgery • Using a needle to remove cells for testing. A biopsy The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor and surrounding procedure involves removing a sample of suspicious breast tissue. Surgical procedures used to treat male breast tissue for laboratory testing. A breast biopsy is commonly cancer include: done by inserting a needle into the breast lump and • Surgery to remove breast tissue and surrounding drawing cells or tissue from the area. When analyzed in a lymph nodes. Most men with breast cancer undergo laboratory, your tissue sample reveals whether you have a modified radical mastectomy. In this procedure, a breast cancer and, if so, what type of breast cancer you surgeon removes all of your breast tissue, including the have. nipple and areola, and some underarm (axillary) lymph nodes. Your lymph nodes are tested to see if they contain Determining the extent of the cancer cancer cells. Removing your lymph nodes increases your If you've been diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor will risk of serious arm swelling (lymphedema). work to determine the extent (stage) of your cancer. Your • Surgery to remove one lymph node for testing. During cancer's stage helps your doctor determine treatment options. a sentinel lymph node biopsy, your doctor identifies the Staging tests include blood tests and imaging tests, such as lymph node most likely to be the first place your cancer X-ray and computerized tomography (CT). cells would spread. That lymph node is removed and tested for cancer cells. If no cancer cells are found in The stages of male breast cancer are: that lymph node, there is a good chance that your breast • Stage I. The tumor is no more than 2 centimeters (cm) in cancer hasn't spread beyond your breast tissue. diameter (3/4 inch) and hasn't spread to the lymph nodes. • Stage II. The tumor may be up to 5 cm (about 2 inches) Radiation therapy in diameter and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays, Or the tumor may be larger than 5 cm and no cancer cells to kill cancer cells. During radiation therapy for male breast are found in the lymph nodes. cancer, radiation comes from a large machine that moves • Stage III. The tumor may be larger than 5 cm (about around your body, directing the energy beams to precise 2 inches) in diameter and may involve several nearby points on your chest. lymph nodes. Lymph nodes above the collarbone may also contain cancer cells. In male breast cancer, radiation therapy may be used to • Stage IV. Cancer at this stage has spread beyond the breast eliminate any remaining cancer cells in the breast, chest to distant areas, such as the bone, brain, liver or lungs. muscles or armpit after surgery. (continued on page 4) 3 Yes, Breast Cancer Can Strike Men Too! (continued from page 3) Chemotherapy • Relaxation exercises. Relaxation exercises help refocus Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy your mind and help you relax. Relaxation exercises treatment often involves receiving two or more drugs in include guided imagery and progressive muscle different combinations.