Breast cancer is often thought of as exclusively affecting women. But men can get it, too, and ignoring changes in the breast can give cancer more time to grow.
City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta held a breast cancer screening event Aug. 19 at its Newnan location, offering eligible women annual mammograms and educational resources as Georgia continues to see a growing need for breast cancer awareness and early detection.
More than 10,400 Georgia women are projected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, according to data provided by City of Hope. Rates among women under 50 have increased by about 1.4 percent annually in recent years.
But women are not the only people who should pay attention. Men also have breast tissue and can develop breast cancer, although it is rare. Because routine screening mammograms generally are not recommended for men, awareness of changes and conversations with a doctor are especially important.
For both women and men, knowing personal and family history can help identify risk. Dr. Nitika Sharma, a City of Hope breast oncologist and hematologist, said family history is an important part of determining whether someone may benefit from genetic testing.
At City of Hope, genetic counselors examine a person’s family history to determine whether testing may be appropriate. The BRCA mutation, for example, can predispose people to breast, pancreatic, ovarian and certain skin cancers.
For women without symptoms, screening remains a critical tool.
“Screening for breast cancers is done with mammograms,” Sharma said, adding that women with certain high-risk factors, including radiation exposure or family history, may need additional imaging such as an MRI combined with a mammogram.
Women aged 40 and older are now eligible for mammograms, while younger women with dense breast tissue may also be encouraged to receive screening. For people exposed to radiation, screening can begin as early as 25, she said. Those with hereditary mutations may begin screening around ages 30 to 35.
Early detection matters because breast cancer may be found before a person notices symptoms. Sharma said early screening can lead to better overall survival and may help some patients avoid invasive tests, extensive surgery or chemotherapy.
“My message to somebody who has been ignoring getting a screening mammogram would be that this is the way to get control of your health,” Sharma said.
Knowing what is normal for your body is also important. Sharma said people should seek medical attention for changes such as a lump or bump that does not go away or changes, unusual breast changes, bone pain, headaches or loss of appetite. Breast swelling can also sometimes be mistaken for an infection, potentially delaying the appropriate evaluation.
“Do not ignore the symptoms and get the proper workup,” Sharma said.
Reducing risk can also involve lifestyle changes, Sharma said. She recommended a diet high in fruits and green vegetables, avoiding red meat, alcohol and smoking, following up with a doctor and keeping up with regular screenings.
The Aug. 19 screening event offered one opportunity to turn that knowledge into action. For women eligible for mammography, that means keeping up with recommended screenings. For men and women alike, it means knowing their bodies, understanding their family history and getting concerning changes checked.
Breast cancer may be uncommon in men, but it is not impossible, and for everyone, knowing your risk can be the first step toward catching cancer earlier.
