Breast Cancer in Men: Signs, Risks and Getting Checked
October 8, 2026 · Breast Cancer, Cancer Information
Most people think of breast cancer as a women's disease, but men have breast tissue too, and men can get breast cancer. It's rare: fewer than 1% of breast cancers in the U.S. are in men. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 2,670 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2026, and about 530 will die of it.
Because few men expect it, many ignore the warning signs or feel embarrassed to mention them, and the cancer is often found later than it would be in a woman. Knowing the signs and the risk factors helps catch it early, when it's most treatable.
Signs to watch for
The most common sign is a lump or swelling, often painless, just under the nipple or areola. Other signs include:
- a nipple that turns inward
- discharge or bleeding from the nipple
- redness, scaling or thickening of the skin of the chest or nipple
- dimpling or puckering of the skin
- a lump or swelling in the armpit
Many breast changes in men aren't cancer. The most common is gynecomastia, a benign enlargement of breast tissue that can happen with hormone changes, weight gain, certain medicines or liver disease. It usually feels like a rubbery, often tender disc under the nipple, sometimes on both sides. Only a doctor can tell the difference, so any new lump or change deserves a visit. Our page on breast cancer symptoms covers other changes to watch for.
Who is at higher risk
According to the American Cancer Society, the main risk factors for breast cancer in men are:
- Age. Risk rises with age. The average age at diagnosis is between 60 and 70.
- Family history. Having blood relatives, male or female, with breast cancer raises risk.
- Inherited gene changes. BRCA2 is the most important. Men with a BRCA2 mutation have a much higher lifetime risk than other men. Changes in BRCA1, PALB2, CHEK2 and a few other genes also raise risk.
- Klinefelter syndrome. This genetic condition, in which a man is born with an extra X chromosome, affects about 1 in 1,000 men and raises breast cancer risk.
- Radiation to the chest, for example as treatment for lymphoma.
- Conditions that raise estrogen levels: liver disease such as cirrhosis, heavy drinking, excess body weight, and estrogen treatment.
- Certain testicular conditions, such as an undescended testicle or having a testicle removed.
Most men with these risk factors never get breast cancer, and some men who get it have none. But if breast or ovarian cancer runs in your family, or a relative has a BRCA mutation, ask your doctor about genetic counseling. A BRCA2 result matters for men's own health, including their risk of prostate and pancreatic cancer, and for their children.
How it's diagnosed
There's no routine breast cancer screening for men at average risk. Diagnosis usually starts because a man or his doctor notices a change. The doctor examines the area and usually orders a mammogram, sometimes followed by an ultrasound. If something looks suspicious, a biopsy removes a small sample of tissue so it can be checked under a microscope.
The pathology report then describes the cancer, including whether it uses hormones to grow. Nearly all breast cancers in men are hormone receptor-positive, which affects treatment.
How it's treated
Treatment for men is similar to treatment for women, and it's planned around the cancer's stage and features. It often includes:
- Surgery. Most men have a mastectomy, removing the breast tissue, along with a check of nearby lymph nodes.
- Radiation after surgery for some men.
- Hormone therapy. Because most male breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive, hormone therapy is a key part of treatment for many men.
- Chemotherapy or targeted drugs for some cancers, depending on stage and features.
Because breast cancer in men is rare, there's less research on it, and many studies have mostly included women. Ask whether there are clinical trials open to men, and consider a team that treats breast cancer regularly. You can search for oncologists and cancer treatment centers near you in our directory.
Getting past the stigma
Men with breast cancer often say the hardest part is feeling out of place: pink waiting rooms, pamphlets written for women, and friends who don't know what to say. Those feelings are common. Ask your care team whether they can connect you with other men who have been through it, and know that counseling and support groups are open to you too.
The bottom line
Breast cancer in men is rare, but it's real. A painless lump under the nipple, a nipple that turns inward, or discharge from the nipple should be checked by a doctor, not ignored. If breast or ovarian cancer runs in your family, ask about genetic counseling. Found early, breast cancer in men is very treatable.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own situation.