Breast cancer in men

The short version

Men can get breast cancer. Around 390 men are diagnosed each year in the UK, less than 1% of all breast cancers.¹
Treatment is similar to women’s. Most men have a mastectomy, and tamoxifen is the most common hormone therapy.¹
Being active, eating well and getting support help men prepare for and recover from treatment, just as they do for women.

Signs to look out for

Symptoms of breast cancer in men include:¹

a lump in the chest or breast, which is usually painless
discharge from the nipple, or a nipple that turns inwards
swelling of the breast
a sore or ulcer on the skin of the breast
a lump or swelling in the armpit
a rash on or around the nipple

See your GP if you notice any of these.

Treatment

Treatment for men is similar to treatment for women, and may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy.¹

Surgery: most men have the whole breast removed, including the nipple, because there’s less breast tissue. A new nipple can be made, tattooed, or replaced with a stick-on nipple later.¹
Hormone therapy: most breast cancers in men are hormone receptor positive. Tamoxifen is the most common hormone therapy, usually taken for at least 5 years.¹

Staying active and recovering

Everything on this site about staying active applies to men too, including:

arm and shoulder exercises after surgery, to get movement back
strength exercises before treatment and our 12-week strength plan
managing cancer-related fatigue
exercise on hormone therapy, as tamoxifen can cause side effects such as hot flushes and tiredness

Feeling isolated

Many men with breast cancer say they feel isolated, as most information and support is aimed at women. It can help to:

ask your breast care nurse whether they know other men you could talk to, as treatment often takes place in specialist centres¹
use online forums, such as Cancer Research UK’s Cancer Chat¹
call a helpline: the Cancer Research UK nurses on 0808 800 4040, or Breast Cancer Now on 0808 800 6000^{1, 2}

Family history and genes

Men with breast cancer are more likely to have an inherited gene change, such as BRCA2, than women with breast cancer. Your team may offer you genetic testing. This can also be important for your relatives.

Prefer a guided plan?

A personalised programme can help you prepare for treatment and recover afterwards, with a plan built around you across exercise, nutrition, mind and sleep. See how digital prehab works or compare UK programmes.

Everyone’s treatment is different, so talk to your cancer team about what is right for you.

References

Cancer Research UK. Breast cancer in men. www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/types/male-breast-cancer
Breast Cancer Now. Call our helpline. breastcancernow.org/support-for-you/call-our-helpline