You may be thinking, men don’t have breasts, so how can they get breast cancer? Men do have breast tissue which usually stays flat and small, due to very little hormone stimulation of their breast tissue.

Sometimes men can develop enlarged breast tissue (gynaecomastia- breast tissue growth that is non cancerous/benign) if they take certain medicines or have abnormal hormone levels.

It’s important to understand the risk factors for male Breast Cancer — particularly because men are not routinely screened for this disease and don’t think about the possibility of getting Breast Cancer. As a result, Breast Cancer tends to be more advanced in men than in women when it is first detected.

A number of factors can increase a man’s risk of getting Breast Cancer:

• Growing older: This is the biggest factor. Just as is the case for women, risk increases as age increases. The median age of men diagnosed with breast cancer is about 67. This means that half the men who are diagnosed are over 67 and half are under.
• High estrogen levels:Breast cell growth — both normal and abnormal — is stimulated by the presence of estrogen. Men can have high estrogen levels as a result of:
  • taking hormonal medicines
  • being overweight, which increases the production of estrogen
  • having been exposed to estrogens in the environment (such as estrogen and other hormones fed to fatten up beef cattle, or the breakdown products of the pesticide DDT, which can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body)
  • being heavy users of alcohol, which can limit the liver’s ability to regulate blood estrogen levels
  • having liver disease, which usually leads to lower levels of androgens (male hormones) and higher levels of estrogen (female hormones). This increases the risk of developing gynaecomastia (breast tissue growth that is non-cancerous/benign) as well as  Breast Cancer.
• Klinefelter syndrome: Men with Klinefelter syndrome have lower levels of androgens (male hormones) and higher levels of estrogen (female hormones). Therefore, they have a higher risk of developing gynaecomastia (breast tissue growth that is non-cancerous) and breast cancer. Klinefelter syndrome is a condition present at birth that affects about 1 in 1,000 men. Normally men have a single X and single Y chromosome. Men with Klinefelter syndrome have more than one X chromosome (sometimes as many as four). Symptoms of Klinefelter syndrome include having longer legs, a higher voice, and a thinner beard than average men; having smaller than normal testicles; and being infertile (unable to produce sperm).
• A strong family history of breast cancer or genetic alterations/mutations: Family history can increase the risk of breast cancer in men — particularly if other men in the family have had breast cancer. The risk is also higher if there is a proven breast cancer gene abnormality in the family. Men who inherit abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes (BR stands for BReast, and CA stands for CAncer) have an increased risk for male breast cancer. This risk of developing breast cancer by age 70 is approximately 1% with the BRCA1 gene and 6% with the BRCA2 gene. Overall, that’s about 80 times greater than the lifetime risk of men without BRCA1 or BRCA2 abnormalities. Also, a family in which male breast cancer has occurred has a 60% to 76% risk of having an abnormal BRCA2 gene. An abnormal BRCA2 gene accounts for up to 40% of male breast cancers. Because of this strong association between male breast cancer and an abnormal BRCA2 gene, first-degree relatives (siblings, parents, and children) of a man diagnosed with breast cancer may want to ask their doctors about genetic testing for abnormal breast cancer genes. Still, the majority of male breast cancers happen in men who have no family history of breast cancer and no inherited gene abnormality.
• Radiation exposure: Having radiation therapy to the chest before age 30, and particularly during adolescence, may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. This has been seen in young people receiving radiation to treat Hodgkin’s disease. (This does NOT include radiation therapy to treat breast cancer.)

One study found that male breast cancer is on the rise, with a 25% increase over the 25 years from 1973 to 1988. But it’s still rare. It’s unclear whether the reported rise means the disease is slowly becoming more common, or whether men better understand the symptoms and report their symptoms, leading to diagnoses that might have been missed in the past.

If you notice any persistent changes in your breasts, you should consult your doctor. 

Here are some signs to look out for:

• a lump felt in the breast
• nipple pain
• an inverted nipple
• nipple discharge (clear or bloody)
• sores on the nipple and areola (the small ring of color around the center of the nipple)
• enlarged lymph nodes under the arm
• It’s important to note that enlargement of both breasts (not just on one side) is usually NOT cancer. The medical term for this is gynaecomastia. Sometimes the breasts can become quite large. Non-cancer-related enlargement of the breasts can be caused by medications and steroids, heavy alcohol use, weight gain, or marijuana use.

A small study about male Breast Cancer found that the average time between the first symptom and diagnosis was 19 months, or over a year and a half. That’s a very long time! This is probably because people don’t expect Breast Cancer to happen to men, so there is little to no early detection.

Earlier diagnosis could make a life-saving difference. With more research and more public awareness, men will learn that — just like women — they need to go to their doctor right away if they detect any persistent changes in their breasts.

After an abnormality of the breast is found, tests are performed to rule out the possibility of Breast Cancer. 

• Mammogram: A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. A radiologist will look at the pictures and determine if anything looks abnormal. He or she may then decide to get other pictures of a certain area. These are called spot or magnification views.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound sends high-frequency sound waves through your breast and the images generated are viewed and interpreted by the radiologist. Ultrasound complements other tests. If an abnormality is seen on mammography or felt by physical exam, ultrasound is the best way to find out if the abnormality is solid or fluid-filled (such as a benign cyst). Ultrasound cannot definitely determine whether a solid lump is cancerous.
• Nipple discharge examination: If you have nipple discharge, some of the fluid may be collected and examined under a microscope to see if any cancer cells are present.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is necessary to distinguish normal tissue from abnormal tissue. The purpose of this procedure is to make a diagnosis.

Biopsies are performed on any kind of abnormality that your doctor can feel or that the radiologist sees on a mammogram or ultrasound. Various techniques are used to biopsy tissue, and your radiologist will use the least invasive procedure possible while making sure that enough tissue is removed to make a clear diagnosis.

• Fine needle biopsy of palpable lesions (lesions that can be felt) is least invasive. A long, thin, hollow needle is placed in the palpable abnormality. Cells are extracted through the center of the needle. The tissue is then sent off to pathology for analysis. This biopsy technique has the highest risk of a “false negative” — a biopsy result that says “normal,” even though a cancer is present. The reason for this is probably that the needle doesn’t always pick up the cancer cells.
• Ultasound needle biopsy (core biopsy) removes multiple tissue samples of the lesion. A core biopsy removes a bigger piece of tissue than a fine needle biopsy and is done when a lesion is seen on ultrasound, whether palpable or not.
• Stereotactic needle biopsy (core biopsy) removes multiple tissue samples of a lesion. If the lesion can’t be felt, the needle is guided to the area of concern with the help of mammography. A small metal clip may be inserted into the breast to mark the site of biopsy in case the biopsy proves cancerous and additional surgery is required. But since most men diagnosed with breast cancer have mastectomy, a clip is usually unnecessary since the whole breast is removed.

If a cancer diagnosis is made other tests, such as blood tests, chest X-ray, and bone scan, might be done to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Most breast cancers in men are ductal carcinomas. Ductal means the cancer started in the milk ducts of the breast. These cancers are usually invasive because they start inside the duct and then break through the wall of the duct, growing into the normal surrounding breast tissue. Non-invasive breast cancers, called DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), are uncommon in men. These cancers start and stay inside the milk ducts. Men rarely get lobular breast cancer (the kind of cancer that starts in the lobules where milk is made) because lobules are not fully formed in male breast tissue.

Some breast cancers spread to the lymph nodes under the arm. When the lymph nodes are involved in the cancer, they are called positive. When lymph nodes are free or “clear” of cancer, they are called negative. If the lymph nodes are abnormal and have been sampled, the pathology report will indicate whether the lymph nodes have any cancer cells in them. In addition, the report will say whether the cancer is contained within the lymph node or if there is any cancer extension from the lymph node, through the node’s outer capsule and into the tissue outside the node (when this happens, it’s called extracapsular extension).

In both men and women, the more extensive the lymph node involvement, the more aggressive the cancer usually is. But the extent of disease within a particular lymph node is less important than the total number of lymph nodes affected. The more lymph nodes involved, the more serious the cancer diagnosis can be.

A hormone receptor test is done on the cancer tissue to see if they are sensitive to the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Most breast cancers in men have estrogen and progesterone receptors. If the receptors are present, the test will read “positive,” and if the receptors are absent, the report will say “negative.” Positive hormone receptors can mean a better prognosis and a potential role for anti-estrogen hormonal therapy.

The cancer tissue that is removed is tested for high levels of the HER2 gene or protein. HER2 is a gene that helps control how cells grow, divide, and repair themselves. The HER2 gene directs the production of special proteins, called HER2 receptors, in cancer cells. When levels of the HER2 gene or protein are high, the cancer is called HER2-positive (less than 25% of breast cancers are HER2-positive). Cancers that are HER2-positive tend to be more aggressive. But a targeted therapy called Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab) works well against these kinds of cancers.

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The Affirm^TM breast biopsy guidance system represents the next generation in upright breast biopsy.

This innovative solution is designed for the Selenia® Dimensions® digital mammography system to streamline efficiency and optimize workflow, and gives our practice the opportunity to offer leading-edge technology in minimally invasive breast biopsy, for Compassionate Care and Confident Results.

Hologic and Suros have developed the most advanced technologies in digital mammography and vacuum-assisted breast biopsy.

Suros has introduced biopsy solutions that sample and excise tissue faster, with greater accuracy and substantially less trauma for patients.

For the first time, an imaging and intervention company have come together to deliver more choices, accelerate breakthroughs and offer more complete solutions for better clinical outcomes.

Click here for more information on Suros.

Click here for more information on Affirm

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Hologic has been at the forefront of the industry’s transformation from analog to digital mammography. Now they have taken another significant leap forward with the introduction of the Selenia® Dimensions® system, the first practical tool to deliver on the extraordinary promise of breast tomosynthesis.

The Selenia Dimensions system delivers exceptional digital mammograms and takes us to the next level in breast imaging – breast tomosynthesis—a breakthrough technology poised to revolutionize how breastcancer is detected today.

Tomosynthesis is a revolutionary technology that gives radiologists the ability to identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue. During a tomosynthesis scan, multiple, low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of one millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a three dimensional reconstruction of the breast. Instead of viewing all tissue complexities on a traditional 2D mammogram, the breast radiologist can now scroll through the layers of the breast in one-millimeter thick slices.

This allows the breast radiologist to see around features in the tissue and identify areas of concern that may have been hidden by overlapping tissue, or dismiss normal areas that mayhave appeared suspicious on a digital mammogram. As a result, recalls may be reduced, unnecessary biopsies may be eliminated, and Breast Cancers may be identified earlier.

Image quality is key to early detection of Breast Cancer.

Click here for more information.

Contact your local CANSA Care Centre regarding Reach for Recovery in your area. If there is no Reach for Recovery group in your area, the Care Centre will be able to provide you with counselling, support and prostheses.

For more information call CANSA toll-free on 0800 22 6622 or visit: www.cansa.org.za

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) is an annual international health campaign every October to increase awareness of this disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

BCAM is also a prime opportunity to offer information and support to those who are affected by breast cancer and to remind women to be breast aware for early detection of Breast Cancer.

The aim of the BCAM from the start has been to promote mammography as the most effective screening method for early detection of Breast Cancer.

Breast Cancer Facts

Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in South Africa with one in 29 women diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the National Cancer Registry. The incidence of Breast Cancer among South African women is increasing.

In the past, Breast Cancer mostly affected women over 40 years old but more and more younger women present with Breast Cancer. The key is to detect Breast Cancer early so that it can be treated early.

The good news is that if it is detected and treated early, there is an excellent chance of recovery and survival.

This is why every woman needs to conduct a Breast Self Examination (BSE) monthly, from the age of 20 and have a routine screening mammogram (a special x-ray to detect abnormalities in the breast) annually, from the age 40 and earlier if you have any concerns or a family history of Breast Cancer.

If you have the following symptoms – difference in size breasts | lumps | unusual swellings | puckering of the skin | sores | pain | discharge visit a health professional without delay. Many breast lumps are harmless, but they all must be checked.

Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for 1% of all breast cancers. It is a hundred times more common in women than in men.

According to the South African National Cancer Registry men have a lifetime risk of 1 in 928 of developing Breast Cancer. Recent research found that men with a faulty BRCA2 gene (which is related to female breast cancer as well), have a 1 in 12 chance of developing breast cancer before the age of 80 years.

Tips for Having a Mammogram

Mammography is currently the most effective way of detecting Breast Cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages.

Suggestions for ensuring that you receive a good quality mammogram:

• Use a facility that specialises in mammography and offers Digital Mammography.
• If you are satisfied that the facility is of high quality, continue to go there on a regular basis so that your mammograms can be compared from year to year.
• If you are going to a facility for the first time, bring a list of the places, dates of mammograms, biopsies, or other breast treatments you have had before.
• If you have had mammograms at another facility, you should make every attempt to get those mammograms to bring with you to the new facility (or have them sent there) so that they can be compared to the new ones.
• On the day of the exam, don’t wear deodorant or antiperspirant; some of these contain substances that can interfere with the reading of the mammogram by appearing on the x-ray film as white spots.
• You may find it more convenient to wear a skirt or pants so that you’ll only need to remove your blouse for the exam.
• Schedule your mammogram when your breasts are not tender or swollen to help reduce discomfort. Try to avoid the week before your menstruation. The ideal time is 7-10 days after the onset of your last menstrual cycle.
• Always discuss with your attending radiographer/radiologist any breast symptoms or problems that you are having and any pertinent medical history such as prior surgeries, hormone use, family or personal history of breast cancer.

Contact your local CANSA Care Centre regarding Reach for Recovery in your area. If there is no Reach for Recovery group in your area, the Care Centre will be able to provide you with counselling, support and prostheses.

For more information call CANSA toll-free on 0800 22 6622 or visit: www.cansa.org.za

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Hologic pioneered dual x-ray (DXA) bone densitometry technology which has become the industry standard for assessing bone health. Today using the Discovery system, clinicians can identify fractures not discernible by normal physical examinations. An added benefit of these advances, in addition to bone density measurements, is the growing use of the same technologies to identify Abdominal Aortic Calcification (AAC) and Advanced Body Composition Analysis for assessing obesity, cardiovascular and other metabolic disease.

Click here for more information.

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Breast Tomosynthesis is a revolutionary technology that gives radiologists the ability to identify and characterise individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue. During a Tomosynthesis scan, multiple, low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of one millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a three dimensional reconstruction of the breast.

Instead of viewing all tissue complexities on a traditional 2D mammogram, the breast radiologist can now scroll through the layers of the breast in one-millimeter thick slices. This allows the breast radiologist to see around features in the tissue and identify areas of concern that may have been hidden by overlapping tissue, or dismiss normal areas that may have appeared suspicious on a digital mammogram. As a result, recalls may be reduced, unnecessary biopsies may be eliminated, and breast cancers may be identified earlier.

Image quality is key to early detection of Breast Cancer.

Contact our local CANSA Care Centre regarding Reach for Recovery in your area. If there is no Reach for Recovery group in your area, the Care Centre will be able to provide you with counselling, support and prostheses.

For more information see: www.cansa.org.za

The post What is Breast Tomosynthesis? appeared first on ARYA STANA.

The post Genetic Testing and Counseling appeared first on ARYA STANA.

For more information call CANSA toll-free on 0800 22 6622 or visit: www.cansa.org.za

The post Breast Cancer Support appeared first on ARYA STANA.