Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Male breast cancer: traditionally under-diagnosed and under-researched, but hopefully that's changing
For several reasons, including potential social stigma and a significantly smaller number of patients, breast cancer in men has never had anywhere close to the awareness and research commitment that's seen for women affected by breast cancer. An article in the New York Times (Click here to view article) in September 2019 highlighted these disparities in research and clinical studies, reporting on recent FDA guidelines encouraging increased participation by men in breast cancer trials. However, with the announcement in October 2019 that Mathew Knowles, Beyonce's father, was being treated for breast cancer, there has been an increased focus in the media on male breast cancer. With this increased awareness will hopefully come many of the benefits seen with awareness around breast cancer in women, including men with breast masses seeking more timely medical attention and more research support for male breast cancer.
Among the many misconceptions around breast cancer in men is that presentation and treatment are the same as for women. While there are some similarities, there are many differences, primarily related to the fact that men do not receive screening mammograms and have an increased chance of having a genetic cause for their breast cancer. To address some of these issues, I was fortunate enough to sit down to discuss male breast cancer with Robert Warren, MD, MBA, and professor of medicine and co-director of the Betty Lou Ourisman Breast Health Center at Georgetown (he also happens to be my dad!).
Here's our interview on presentation and evaluation of breast cancer in men, treatment options, and the importance of genetic testing after diagnosis:
Dr. Anne Peled: What are some common presenting symptoms of male breast cancer?
