Does breast cancer occur in men?

Does breast cancer occur in men?

Richard E. Gould (Hematologist/Oncologist, Cedars-Sinai Outpatient Cancer Center) gives expert video advice on: What are the most common types of breast cancer?; What causes breast cancer?; Is breast cancer fatal? and more...

Men can develop breast cancer. Men have breast tissue, not as much as women, and they don't have the circulating oestrogens that women have. And so men's risk of breast cancer is less. The segment of the male population who are a greater risk for breast cancer are those who carry certain genes that predispose them to breast cancer. So men with BRCA1, BRCA2, they have a greater risk of developing breast cancer. In addition, if men have had radiation to the chest, that can increase their risk of developing breast cancer as well. So while men can get breast cancer, it is rare.