Male Breast Cancer is Real -- 6 Signs That Every Man Needs to Look For

Most people think that breast cancer only happens to women, and they would be wrong. The American Cancer Society estimates about 2,470 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men and 460 men will die from the disease in 2017 alone. Breast cancer in men is real.
The facts

Although it is rare, breast cancer can and does occur in men. Because it is rare, it is also more deadly. Why? Because it is often ignored and not detected until it is in advanced stages. With that said, here are 6 signs of breast cancer men should never ignore.

1. Lumps - a firm, painless lump on pectoral muscles behind or close to their nipple area
2. Changes in breast size or nipples - a change in the size of the breast, or changes in the appearance, shape or texture of the nipples can be a sign of cancer. In addition, nipple discharge, while not necessarily a sign of breast cancer in women, is often an early warning sign of breast cancer in men.
3. Skin changes - changes in skin around the breast, including skin redness or a rash and edema, or the accumulation of fluid in the chest muscle tissue, can all be signs of breast cancer.
4. Pain - pain in the breast that is persistent and not related to any trauma or physical activity can be a sign of breast cancer, especially if the pain is in the nipple area.
5. Lumps under the armpit - men have a higher chance than women that the cancer will spread to the lymph nodes by the time the cancer is detected in the breast. Men who discover lumps under their armpit should see their doctor immediately.
6. Bone pain - bone pain can indicate that the cancer has spread outside of the breast to other parts of the body.

To learn more about breast cancer in men, visit www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer-in-men/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html