According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1,900 men in America will develop breast cancer in 2009.
Although the risk of breast cancer for men is approximately 1/10 of 1 percent, it is important to understand the symptoms and diagnostic process so that it can be detected early on and treated.
Instructions
1. Choose the same time each month to examine your breasts. Tie it to paying the mortgage or changing the calendar to ensure you remember to perform the exam at the same time each month.
2. Perform a self-exam and note any changes. Men have less breast tissue than women. According to the American Cancer Society, this reduction in breast tissue makes it easier to detect lumps, but it also means that cancer spreads more quickly in males than it does in females. The American Cancer Society reports that a higher percentage of male breast cancers than female cancers have already spread by the time they are detected, which underscores the importance of regular self- examinations.
Get the chest wet in the shower and examine the tissue in, around and near the breast. Wet skin allows the fingers to easily glide over the breast and underarm tissue to feel for lumps. Also examine the nipples for changes or leakage. Look for skin ulcers, retracted nipples or dimpling in the skin on the breast or underarm.
3. Call your physician if a lump or change is felt and arrange for a CT scan and mammogram. On the day of the mammogram, refrain from using antiperspirant or cologne as these elements can interfere with the effectiveness of the test.
4. Make an appointment with a surgeon if the initial testing reveals a suspicious mass or tissue area.
5. Undergo a surgical biopsy on the suspicious tissue to determine whether the lump is malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). Follow surgeon's recommendations for caring for the surgical wound following the biopsy. Return to your doctor for a follow-up appointment to learn the biopsy results.
Tags: American Cancer, American Cancer Society, Cancer Society, According American, According American Cancer