Breast cancer in men occurs much less frequently (an average of 100 times) than in women. Of great importance is the timely detection of the disease and the precise determination of the true stage of the disease - this will depend on the chosen tactic of patient treatment and its effectiveness.

Breast cancer in men - who and why it occurs

The disease can occur between the ages of 9 to 90 years, but usually develops between the ages of 60-65 years. The background for the subsequent development of breast cancer (breast cancer) in men can be gynecomastia Gynecomastia - known since ancient times   - Benign changes in breast tissue, hormonal disorders arising Hormonal disorders - oversupply and a lack of equally dangerous .

Contributing factors for breast cancer in men may also be injuries, breast cancer, prolonged stress and heredity (the disease of breast cancer were in the immediate family).

Breast cancer in men can be hormone-. The tumor often found increased number of receptors of female hormones - estrogen and progesterone Progesterone - norm and pathology .

Signs

The main symptom of breast cancer in men is the presence of tumor in the mammary gland. Due to the fact that the breasts in men have a small volume, the tumor is located close to the skin and can be felt through the skin at the early stages of the disease. However, only a third of men find in the breast tumor, refers to a doctor, the others pull this for months and sometimes years. This is due to the absence of men as opposed to women's oncological alertness and leads to fuzzy stages of breast cancer.

Tumor most often located in the center of the breast, under the areola, so almost half of the patients observed retraction of the nipple. Discharge from the nipple are rare, they can be transparent and colorless, and may have an admixture of blood. The skin over the tumor is often changed, it can fuse with the tumor and take the form of orange peel, it may appear on the sites of ulceration. Sometimes the tumor is fixed to the pectoral muscles.

Sometimes (but not always) in the field of breast cancer appears more or less soreness, which causes the patient to see a doctor. Sometimes increasing axillary lymph nodes.

As with women, men with breast cancer may metastasize to nearby lymph nodes Lymph nodes - what keeps our immune system   (but much less frequently than women) and in distant organs and tissues.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of breast cancer in men is put on the basis of the examination the doctor (surgeon - or mammalogy oncologist) and confirmed by the survey. Patients underwent ultrasound examination of the breast, which identifies the node with indistinct contours. Benign or malignant is education in the US can not be determined.

More accurate data can be obtained after the X-ray examination of the breast - a mammogram. But they must be confirmed by laboratory tests. The wire needle biopsy - taking material for analysis by fine needle puncture of the tumor. The purpose of research - the identification of cancer cells.

In some cases, a magnetic resonance imaging, bone scans, X-rays and ultrasound of various bodies in order to identify or eliminate metastasis of cancer.

Treatment of breast cancer in men

Treatment of the disease depends on its stage. At the initial stages of the disease initially performed surgery - the breast is removed, sometimes along with the pectoral muscle and nearby lymph nodes. After that, the courses of radiation or chemotherapy.

The primary goal of radiation therapy is to reduce the number of local tumor recurrence and decrease the frequency of metastases. Carried out at a large scale and a large number of tumor involved lymph nodes removed during surgery, and in the case when the entire tumor could not be removed for some reason.

Chemotherapy and hormone therapy of breast cancer in men is carried out just as in women. In particular prescribed drugs suppressing the secretion of estrogens, such as tamoxifen. They are used as anticancer drugs (cyclophosphamide, metatreksat and others).

Forecast

Forecast of breast cancer in men is mainly due to the state of the surrounding lymph nodes. The greater the number of lymph nodes affected, the worse the prognosis. In the absence of lymph node involvement ten-year survival rate of patients after treatment is properly carried out an average of 55%, and the five-year - up to 90%.

It has meaning and variety of histological tumor. Some types of cancer are more benign course, for example, medullary, papillary, mucous carcinoma.

On prognosis affects the extent of the tumor and the surrounding tissue and distant organs.

Galina Romanenko

The diagnosis "breast cancer" can cause a shock. At the time when the patient still struggling to cope with the shock and fear about the future, they have to make important and difficult decisions about what kind of treatment to choose and where to undergo treatment.

Measures that help to cope with stress How to beat stress? Create an oasis   and as far as possible, it is easier to move a difficult and challenging period in your life?

• Get as much information

If you want to understand better what is your diagnosis, the doctor boldly ask all your questions: on the stage of cancer, and its variants, on whether the tumor is sensitive to the effects of hormones. Independently looking for high-quality and modern sources of information about existing methods of cancer treatment today. All this will help you to some extent ease the fear of the unknown (you will, they say, know the enemy in the face), and make an informed decision when choosing a therapy.

Some women, however, prefer to limit their knowledge about breast cancer general information. This, too, is perfectly normal, and you can ask your doctor to tell you the minimum details about the illness - he will go to meet you.

• Talk to women who have had successful treatment of cancer Cancer Treatment - difficult, but necessary   Breast

In some regions, there are support groups where you can find someone who knows your problem from within. Communicating with these people to help fight the fears and gives the strength needed to fight the disease.

• Talk about your feelings

Find someone who knows how to listen - it may be a family member, friend, a priest, a psychologist or someone else. If necessary, ask your doctor to recommend you to a psychologist or other expert who has experience working with cancer patients.

• Do not refuse help

Family and friends can give you a great help in the fight against cancer, which can take more time and effort than it seems at first. Reporting know about your diagnosis, you will probably get a lot of suggestions and assistance. Think in advance about what you may need at some point or another treatment (bring books to the hospital, you go to the store or prepare a meal), and when you offer help, do not answer a polite "thank you, do not need anything." Many people are really ready and willing to help you, so do not give up. In the end, in a difficult situation, you make them the same.

• Frank talk with your partner

In our culture, the female breast is an essential attribute of attractiveness, femininity and sexuality Nine ways to experience their sexuality . Because of this, breast cancer, more specifically, the effects of its treatment, can reduce self-esteem, self-confidence to weaken and eventually destroy the relationship with the partner. Frankly I talk to him about her - and his - fears immediately after learning of his diagnosis.

• Take care of yourself

Maintaining good health during cancer treatment should be your priority. Sleep enough to feel in the morning well rested, eat as many fruits and vegetables, with the opportunity to continue to play sports, and find time for activities that bring you pleasure - such as reading books, watching your favorite movies, and so on. If it is necessary, in time, let others take care of you. This does not mean that you are weak and helpless - just for a while you will need to direct all my energy on something to get better.

Prevention for women at average risk of breast cancer

Some simple lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

• Drink alcohol in moderation or give up on it altogether. If you can not or do not want to completely give up alcohol, limit its consumption of 4-5 glasses of wine per week.
• Exercise at least 4-5 times a week for at least half an hour. If you have not recently involved in sports, ask your doctor how to start training, so as not to cause harm.
• Limit the duration of postmenopausal hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits associated with this therapy. Some women hormone therapy is really necessary, as they have menopause causes a variety of unpleasant symptoms. However, to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, you should take hormone drugs Hormonal treatments - not only contraceptives   in the lowest effective doses and for the possibility to shorten the duration of therapy.
• Maintain a healthy weight. If you currently have a healthy weight, take measures to prevent its increase. If you have extra weight, ask your doctor how to get rid of them, are not causing harm. Decrease daily calorie intake, and gradually increase the exercise.

Prevention for women at increased risk of developing breast cancer

If a doctor examining your family history and assess the impact of other factors come to the conclusion that you have an increased risk of breast cancer, you can take the following steps to reduce this risk:

Preventive medications. Receiving drugs from the group of antiestrogens helps reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. These drugs include tamoxifen and raloxifene. They can cause various side effects, including - increased risk of blood clots. Tamoxifen also increases the risk of uterine cancer. When choosing the right drug for the prevention and take into account the personal and family history of the patient.

Preventive surgery. Women at very high risk of developing breast cancer sometimes prefer removing healthy breasts or a preventive mastectomy. In some cases, preventive oophorectomy performed simultaneously to also reduce the likelihood of ovarian cancer.

Detect cancer as early as possible

Although regular breast exam will not help prevent breast cancer, it increases the probability of detecting the disease at an early stage, and thus increase the chances of successful treatment.

Ask your family doctor, the age at which you need to make regular mammograms, and be sure to go to the survey.

Every month, check your own breasts for the presence of seals, and if it detects any abnormal changes in the structure of the breast as soon as possible, consult a doctor.