Breast cancer: Rare in men, but don't ignore the risks
Despite being less common, men still face certain risk factors, with genetics being a key one.
While breast cancer is often associated with women, it can also affect men, albeit rarely. High-risk factors include genetic predispositions and conditions like gynecomastia, commonly referred to as ‘man boobs.’
As awareness grows, it is essential to educate men about the signs and risks associated with breast cancer, promoting early detection and encouraging open conversations about male breast health in order to combat stigma and improve outcomes.
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Dr Nur Fadhlina Abdul Satar said that breast cancer is much rarer in men compared to women.
In Malaysia, statistics show that about one in 1,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer, while for women, it is around one in 20.
“Despite being less common, men still face certain risk factors, with genetics being a key one. If there is a strong family history of breast cancer or if someone carries the breast cancer genes (BRCA), the risk increases significantly.
“Cancer Research Malaysia offers genetic counselling services for those concerned. A genetic counsellor will review your family history, assess your risk and explain what genetic testing entails.
“The process typically involves a blood or saliva test, with results available in about 14 days. This provides valuable awareness about personal risk factors,” she said in a recent interview with Sinar Daily.
Responding to a question about whether a physically fit man with a flat chest can still get breast cancer, Fadhlina clarified that while it is possible, the higher risk is generally seen in men who are obese or those who have a condition called gynecomastia, where they develop larger breast tissue, sometimes referred to as ‘man boobs.’
“Other conditions like Klinefelter syndrome can also raise the risk of breast cancer in men. But yes, it is true that men with gynecomastia are at a somewhat elevated risk of developing breast cancer.
“Awareness about genetic testing remains quite low in our population, so many people may not realise that men can still be diagnosed with breast cancer, though the risk is quite minimal.
“Key risk factors for men include obesity, excessive alcohol consumption and a sedentary lifestyle, which can elevate their chances of developing the disease.
“However, breast cancer remains predominantly a condition affecting women,” she said.
