Male Breast Cancer: Epidemiology and Risk Factors

Publication date: Available online 9 November 2017
Source:Seminars in Oncology
Author(s): Ali Jad Abdelwahab Yousef
Male breast cancer is a rare malignancy that accounts for less than1% of all cancers in men and less than 1% of all breast cancers. But the incidence is rising and in some patient groups reaching 15% over the course of their lives. The major risk factors for the development of male breast cancer include advancing age, hormonal imbalance, radiation exposure and a family history for breast cancer. Regarding the latter it can be linked to mutations in high or low penetrance genes. The most relevant risk factor for the development of male breast cancer is a mutation in the BRCA2 gene. Most of the cases present late due to a lack of awareness of the existence of such a malignancy in males and ignorance of the related risk factors. Additionally, males with breast cancer are at special risk for developing a second cancer. This review highlights in depth the epidemiology and risk factors for male breast cancer development.



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