Many people do not realize that men are able to develop breast cancer. Although men are 100 times less likely to develop breast cancer than women, all men have breast cells that can become cancerous. Breast cancer is most common in men between the ages of 60 and 70.
Men with breast cancer often mistake visible lumps and/or bumps for other problems or ignore them until it is too late. Embarrassment and social stigma also contribute to later diagnosis, and cancer found at a later stage may be less likely to be effectively treated.
The prognosis is similar for both men and women with breast cancer at each stage of the disease. Like with women, early diagnosis and awareness are key components to increasing survival in men.