The PINK MONTH, THE PINK MAN; Breast Cancer Awareness in Men – Dr. Kyei & Mr. Arthur-Mensah Jnr.
#OctoberThePinkMonthBreastCancerAwarenessMonth
Download pdf: The Pink Month The Pink Man (1)
Introduction
Everyone, irrespective of gender, is born with some amount of breast tissue. The breast tissue consists of the milk-producing glands (called the lobules) and the ducts that carry the milk produced to the nipples (see Figure 1). During puberty, females begin to develop more breast tissue than males. Additionally, the female breast cells are constantly exposed to the growth-promoting effects of the female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone. Apropos, the males eventually do not develop milk-producing breasts. This is what likely predisposes females to develop breast cancer than males. However, because males also have some amount of breast tissue, they can also develop breast cancer.
Recently, the Ashanti Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service expressed concern with the increasing cases of breast cancer especially among men in the Ashanti region of Ghana. It was indicated that, out of a population of 40 men in the region, up to three men suffer from the disease (Kasapafmonline.com).
This calls for the creation of awareness coupled with continuous education on the subject of breast cancer, especially amongst men today.
Figure 1: The breast tissue
Source: American Cancer Society, 2020
Causes of male breast cancer
Theoretically, male breast cancer occurs when some cells of the breast begin to divide more rapidly than the normal cell division of the breast. The rapidly dividing cells form a tumour that may spread to nearby tissues such as the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Tumour size chart of breast cancer
Source: Medical News, 2020.
General types of male breast cancer
- Lobular carcinoma (cancer that begins in the milk-producing glands)
- Ductal carcinoma (cancer that begins in the milk ducts)
Risk factors of male breast cancer
Factors that increase the risk of male breast cancer include;
- Older age
- Exposure to oestrogen such as taking oestrogen related drugs e.g. drugs used for hormone therapy for prostate cancer
- Family history of breast cancer
- Klinefelter’s syndrome (A genetic disorder where males are born with more than one copy of the X chromosome. As a result, such males produce lower levels of certain male hormones and more female hormones)
- Liver disease
- Obesity
- Testicle diseases or surgery
Symptoms and signs of male breast cancer
- A painless lump that does not move around within the breast or thickening in your breast tissue
- Changes to the skin covering your breast, such as dimpling (a slight depression of the skin around the breast), puckering (irregular folding in the skin around the breast), redness around the skin covering your breast
- Changes to your nipple, such as redness around the skin covering your breast, a rash around the nipple, a nipple that begins to turn inward and pain in the nipple area
- Discharge from your nipple which may be stained with blood (see Figure 3).
Figure 3: Symptoms and signs of male breast cancer
Source: AABCA, 2020.
Diagnosis of male breast cancer
- Routine physical exams (breast self-examinations)
- Mammography (using X rays)
- Biopsies (examining samples of breast tissue under the microscope)
Treatment of male breast cancer
Generally, male breast cancer detected early have a high probability for treatment success. Treatment options include;
- Surgery to remove the breast tissue
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted therapy
Prevention of male breast cancer
The following measures are recommended as guidelines to help prevent breast cancer in men. They include;
- Avoidance of smoking
- Regular exercise
- Eating a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant-based foods
- Limiting the consumption of red meats and processed meats
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Limiting or avoidance of alcohol consumption altogether
The month of October is designated by the WHO as the Breast Cancer Awareness month. It is observed to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection, treatment as well as palliative care for the disease.
We, therefore, leave you with these thoughts and reminders;
- Breast cancer is not limited to women alone
- Breast cancer in men is real
- Breast cancer in men is avoidable
- Practice regular breast self-examinations and breast cancer screening test.
Let us all stay safe and healthy by adhering to the above preventive measures.
References:
American Cancer Society, (2020). What is breast cancer in men? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer-in-men/about/what-is-breast-cancer-in-men.html (Accessed October 2, 2020).
A/R: Breast Cancer among men on the rise; voluntary screening crucial. kasapafmonline.com (Accessed October 1, 2020).
African American Breast Cancer Alliance (AABCA) (2020). Breast Cancer 411. Retrieved from aabcainc.org (Accessed October 2, 2020).
Medical News Today, 2020. How does tumour size relate to breast cancer stage? Your breast cancer diagnosis. Retrieved https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis. (Accessed October 3, 2020).
Mr Reginald Arthur-Mensah Jnr (Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Pentecost University).
Dr Mrs Abigail Agartha Kyei (Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Pentecost University).
127 Comments
Woooooowww Awesome
The team at it again
Thank you soo much for this education
Thank you Doc and Mr Arthur Mensah for always educating us👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Very Educative and this will help increase the awareness on breast cancer especially to we the males w who think that the prevalence of breast cancer among us is 0%
Thank you
Good job bringing to the world’s notice that breast cancer can also occur in men. Very educative.
This is good. We only think of women when it comes to breast cancer. Thanks for the education
Very educative. Men must also step up to avoid breast cancer.
Nice, and well done. Thank You.
Great. Very informative
Every man ought to read this. Thank you very much for this education.
Very insightful
Thanks for the education and creating awareness of male breast cancer👍🏼
Thank you so much for Educating us.
This is enlightening. At the mention of breast cancer, all minds are skewed towards the female gender. A lot of people are oblivious of the fact that men are also prone to breast cancer. Thank you for bringing it into light
Thank you so much for Educating us.
Wow that’s another incredible move
Keep it up
We appreciate you guys so much
Very educative. Men must also step out to avoid breast cancer.thank you so much.
Great piece …
most people dont know about breast cancer in men. Thank you for educating us
Very educative. Most of us do not think of the men when it comes to the issue of breast cancer.
Wow. Thanks for this enlightenment.
Wow. I didn’t know men can also get breast cancer. Thanks for educating me
Mem are also at risk of getting breast cancer. This is very educative. Thanks for sharing
Wooow
Great awareness….
Just on point
Just so timely
Detailed write up.. Thanks for the alert especially among we the males.
Nice one
Thanks very much Sir and Madam🤝
https://biotpharm.com/# buy antibiotics from india
buy antibiotics for uti BiotPharm buy antibiotics from india
best online doctor for antibiotics: buy antibiotics from india – buy antibiotics for uti
Online medication store Australia: Pharm Au 24 – Medications online Australia
Online drugstore Australia Pharm Au 24 Pharm Au 24
https://eropharmfast.shop/# ed online meds
PharmAu24: Pharm Au 24 – Discount pharmacy Australia
ed doctor online cheapest erectile dysfunction pills Ero Pharm Fast
buy antibiotics over the counter: BiotPharm – cheapest antibiotics
Ero Pharm Fast Ero Pharm Fast cheap ed pills online
https://eropharmfast.com/# affordable ed medication
pharmacy online australia: Discount pharmacy Australia – Pharm Au 24
Online medication store Australia pharmacy online australia online pharmacy australia
online prescription for ed: ed medicine online – best ed meds online
PharmAu24 Pharm Au 24 pharmacy online australia
buy antibiotics from india: buy antibiotics online uk – Over the counter antibiotics for infection
http://eropharmfast.com/# Ero Pharm Fast
Online medication store Australia online pharmacy australia PharmAu24
buy antibiotics: buy antibiotics over the counter – get antibiotics without seeing a doctor
Medications online Australia pharmacy online australia Medications online Australia
cheap erectile dysfunction pills: ed medication online – cheap ed pills online
http://pharmau24.com/# Medications online Australia
pharmacie en ligne sans prescription pharmacie en ligne Pharmacie en ligne livraison Europe
acheter Viagra sans ordonnance: prix bas Viagra générique – viagra sans ordonnance
pharmacie en ligne: pharmacie en ligne sans prescription – pharmacie en ligne
kamagra 100mg prix Kamagra oral jelly pas cher vente de mГ©dicament en ligne
kamagra pas cher: kamagra oral jelly – kamagra gel
kamagra gel: kamagra 100mg prix – kamagra en ligne
Viagra generique en pharmacie: livraison rapide Viagra en France – viagra sans ordonnance
https://pharmsansordonnance.com/# pharmacie en ligne fiable
pharmacie en ligne pas cher: Cialis sans ordonnance 24h – Acheter Cialis
commander Cialis en ligne sans prescription cialis generique Cialis pas cher livraison rapide
Acheter du Viagra sans ordonnance: prix bas Viagra generique – acheter Viagra sans ordonnance
pharmacie en ligne pas cher: pharmacie en ligne pas cher – acheter mГ©dicament en ligne sans ordonnance
kamagra oral jelly: kamagra en ligne – kamagra livraison 24h
pharmacie internet fiable France pharmacie en ligne sans prescription Pharmacie en ligne livraison Europe
cialis sans ordonnance: cialis sans ordonnance – Cialis generique sans ordonnance
https://pharmsansordonnance.shop/# Pharmacie Internationale en ligne
Pharmacies en ligne certifiees: pharmacie en ligne pas cher – pharmacie en ligne france livraison belgique
Pharmacies en ligne certifiées: commander sans consultation médicale – pharmacie en ligne france pas cher
Acheter Cialis 20 mg pas cher Cialis pas cher livraison rapide commander Cialis en ligne sans prescription
kamagra oral jelly: acheter kamagra site fiable – kamagra en ligne
pharmacie internet fiable France: Pharmacies en ligne certifiees – Pharmacie en ligne livraison Europe
acheter Kamagra sans ordonnance: commander Kamagra en ligne – kamagra livraison 24h
viagra en ligne prix bas Viagra generique prix bas Viagra generique
https://kampascher.com/# acheter kamagra site fiable
kamagra pas cher: kamagra en ligne – acheter Kamagra sans ordonnance
Acheter du Viagra sans ordonnance: viagra en ligne – acheter Viagra sans ordonnance
kamagra 100mg prix: livraison discrete Kamagra – livraison discrete Kamagra
Acheter Cialis 20 mg pas cher Acheter Cialis cialis sans ordonnance
Viagra pas cher paris: commander Viagra discretement – commander Viagra discretement
acheter Viagra sans ordonnance: commander Viagra discretement – viagra sans ordonnance
https://viasansordonnance.shop/# п»їViagra sans ordonnance 24h
Medicaments en ligne livres en 24h pharmacie en ligne france pas cher pharmacie en ligne
commander sans consultation médicale: pharmacie internet fiable France – pharmacie en ligne france fiable
commander Kamagra en ligne: kamagra 100mg prix – pharmacie en ligne livraison europe
commander sans consultation medicale: pharmacie en ligne pas cher – acheter mГ©dicament en ligne sans ordonnance
achat kamagra achat kamagra kamagra oral jelly
commander Viagra discretement: commander Viagra discretement – commander Viagra discretement
Viagra sans ordonnance 24h: Meilleur Viagra sans ordonnance 24h – Viagra homme prix en pharmacie sans ordonnance
kamagra oral jelly: acheter kamagra site fiable – Kamagra oral jelly pas cher
https://pharmsansordonnance.com/# pharmacie en ligne pas cher
pharmacie en ligne pas cher pharmacie en ligne vente de mГ©dicament en ligne
commander sans consultation médicale: pharmacie en ligne pas cher – pharmacie en ligne avec ordonnance
kamagra 100mg prix: achat kamagra – kamagra pas cher
prix bas Viagra generique: acheter Viagra sans ordonnance – acheter Viagra sans ordonnance
viagra en ligne: Viagra sans ordonnance 24h – prix bas Viagra générique
kamagra gel livraison discrete Kamagra acheter Kamagra sans ordonnance
pharmacie en ligne sans ordonnance: pharmacie en ligne sans ordonnance – Pharmacie sans ordonnance
https://viasansordonnance.com/# viagra sans ordonnance
kamagra 100mg prix: kamagra oral jelly – kamagra oral jelly
Acheter du Viagra sans ordonnance Viagra generique en pharmacie viagra en ligne
acheter medicaments sans ordonnance: pharmacie en ligne sans ordonnance – pharmacie en ligne avec ordonnance
Viagra generique en pharmacie Meilleur Viagra sans ordonnance 24h commander Viagra discretement
kamagra pas cher: pharmacie en ligne – kamagra gel
http://pharmsansordonnance.com/# pharmacie en ligne sans ordonnance
livraison rapide Viagra en France viagra en ligne prix bas Viagra generique
commander Cialis en ligne sans prescription: Acheter Cialis – cialis generique
Prix du Viagra en pharmacie en France: Acheter du Viagra sans ordonnance – Acheter du Viagra sans ordonnance
pharmacie en ligne fiable traitement ED discret en ligne cialis sans ordonnance
cialis prix: Cialis sans ordonnance 24h – pharmacies en ligne certifiГ©es
Acheter du Viagra sans ordonnance: commander Viagra discretement – viagra sans ordonnance
prix bas Viagra generique viagra en ligne Sildenafil teva 100 mg sans ordonnance
https://ciasansordonnance.com/# cialis sans ordonnance
pharmacie en ligne france fiable: acheter Cialis sans ordonnance – Cialis pas cher livraison rapide
acheter Cialis sans ordonnance: Cialis pas cher livraison rapide – traitement ED discret en ligne
acheter Kamagra sans ordonnance pharmacies en ligne certifiГ©es kamagra en ligne
kamagra en ligne kamagra pas cher livraison discrete Kamagra
commander Kamagra en ligne: kamagra en ligne – pharmacie en ligne france livraison internationale
https://pharmsansordonnance.shop/# pharmacie en ligne france livraison internationale
pharmacie en ligne fiable: Medicaments en ligne livres en 24h – pharmacie en ligne france livraison belgique
Prix du Viagra en pharmacie en France SildГ©nafil 100mg pharmacie en ligne Viagra sans ordonnance 24h
cialis generique: commander Cialis en ligne sans prescription – cialis sans ordonnance
acheter Cialis sans ordonnance traitement ED discret en ligne commander Cialis en ligne sans prescription
http://ciasansordonnance.com/# Cialis generique sans ordonnance
pharmacie internet fiable France: pharmacie en ligne – pharmacie en ligne livraison europe
viagra sans ordonnance viagra en ligne livraison rapide Viagra en France
Meilleur Viagra sans ordonnance 24h: prix bas Viagra generique – SildГ©nafil 100 mg prix en pharmacie en France
kamagra 100mg prix commander Kamagra en ligne achat kamagra
Viagra generique en pharmacie: prix bas Viagra generique – acheter Viagra sans ordonnance
https://pharmsansordonnance.com/# pharmacie en ligne france pas cher
kamagra gel pharmacie en ligne france livraison belgique Kamagra oral jelly pas cher