I am sorry to say, "yes".
Breast cancer is far less common in men, but does happen at the rate of 1:1000 men. That means about 1 man with breast cancer for each 10 women with breast cancer. That translates to around 2000 men affected this year. Just like in women the incidence has been increasing, but is still <1% of cancers affecting males.
More are inherited: 4% BRCA 1 and 15% BRCA 2 (total BRCA 1 & 2 for women only 7%). Some argue that every male with breast cancer should have the BRCA 1 & 2 test.
90% are estrogen receptor positive (women 75%) and the average age is 66 years (older than for women).
The presentation is most often a painless firm or hard mass, with workup including mammogram, sonogram and needle biopsy. In most studies there are more advanced cases at presentation than for women.
Treatment parallels that for women, but in most series is treated by total mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. In many cases anti estrogen treatment is then offered.
Risk factors are similar to those in women such as higher estrogen exposure and prevention measures are the similar, such as, weight control, activity, exercise, etc. Remember men should have all breast lumps checked out!
Together we can prevent 75,000 breast cancer cases each year.
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