Challenging Stereotypes: Cases of Breast Cancer in Men

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women, internationally, and the leading cause of death from cancer. However, breast cancer in men is an uncommon pathology, corresponding to less than 1% of neoplasms in men. The lifetime risk of breast cancer in a man is approximately 1:1000, compared to 1:8 for a woman. Currently, an increase in timely diagnosis has been demonstrated thanks to the programs that are carried out for the early detection of breast cancer worldwide. Although, unfortunately, early diagnosis is still difficult due to the lack of information that a large part of the population has regarding self-examination, not only in our country, but also around the world, and in the case of breast cancer in men, being such an uncommon condition, its diagnosis is more difficult. The incidence of breast cancer is increasing in the developing world, due to longer life expectancy, increased urbanization and the adoption of Western lifestyles. Among the risk factors that have been seen to increase the risk of breast cancer in men, with scientifically proven evidence, are mainly hormonal disorders, family history and mutations of certain genes that predispose to the disease. The hormonal disorders mentioned above refer to an increase in circulating estrogen levels and a deficiency in the synthesis or action of testosterone. These alterations can be caused by disorders at the level of testicular testosterone synthesis, such as: orchitis, orchiectomy, undescended testicle, congenital inguinal hernia and others. Patients who voluntarily consume exogenous estrogens as part of the treatment of prostate cancer or transsexuals should also be taken into account. Another risk factor that has been found to be implicated in the presentation of this type of neoplasia are medications; many frequently used medications are testosterone antagonists. Alcohol is also implicated, since it decreases testosterone synthesis and the number of testicular receptors for gonadotropin. A higher prevalence has also been seen in patients with obesity, in whom there is a double risk, because as they have a higher peripheral aromatization of androgens, they synthesize a greater amount of circulating estrogens. Approximately 20% of men with breast cancer have a first-line family history, which indicates a two to three times higher risk of developing the disease at some point in their lives and that this risk doubles exponentially with the number of affected family members. Currently there are many programs and organizations that promote the fight against breast cancer, such as the World Health Organization, where there are comprehensive national cancer control programs that are integrated with non-communicable diseases and other related problems. Comprehensive cancer control encompasses prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. Raising awareness of the general public about the problem of breast cancer and control mechanisms, as well as promoting appropriate policies and programs, are key strategies for population-based breast cancer control. Based on what has been mentioned above, the work will be carried out in order to have a better approach to breast cancer in men, due to the little information we have about it, as well as to raise awareness among the general population about the risk factors, prognostic factors, timely diagnosis and treatment of patients with this type of pathology.