Living With Male Breast Cancer
The process to diagnose and treat cancer can be long and frustrating. Most treatments are invasive and cause side effects. Medicine help counter these, but effects can be long lasting. You likely will need to make changes to your lifestyle.
After treatment, your cancer may subside. Remission can be brief or permanent. Cancer survivors usually require ongoing care. This can include testing and treatment to monitor and manage their health.
Living with cancer is emotional. You might consider joining a support group. Your doctor also might suggest rehabilitation to help with physical and life changes.
Having a male family member with breast cancer is a trigger for genetic testing and counseling. After receiving your diagnosis, a genetic counselor can help you determine if members of your family should be tested for mutations in the BRCA gene. Abnormalities in the BRCA gene cause forms of breast and ovarian cancer.
How Is Breast Cancer Treated
Treatment for breast cancer is the same in men as in women. It depends on how big the tumor is and how far it has spread. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. For more information, see the National Cancer Institutes Male Breast Cancer Treatment.external icon
Should Men At Higher Risk For Breast Cancer Get Screening Mammograms
Men have less breast tissue than women and fewer than 1 percent of men develop breast cancer, so national cancer screening guidelines do not recommend regular screening mammograms for men. However, if a doctor suspects breast cancer, a diagnostic mammogram may be needed to look for malignant tumors.
However, when a man is determined to be at higher risk for breast cancer, it is recommended that he have an annual clinical breast exam to check for breast changes that could indicate breast cancer.
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Do Underwire Bras Cause Breast Cancer
Underwire bras do not increase your risk of breast cancer.
There have been some concerns that the wires in the cup of underwire bras may restrict the flow of lymph fluid in the breast causing toxins to build up in the area. However, theres no reliable evidence to support this.
If your bra is too tight or too small, the wires can dig into your breasts and cause discomfort, pain or swelling. Find out more about wearing a well-fitting bra.
What Are The Stages Of Male Breast Cancer
After diagnosing breast cancer, providers classify the disease using a process called staging. Providers measure the tumor and look at its location. They determine whether the tumor has spread to lymph nodes, surrounding breast tissue or other parts of your body. Lymph nodes are small organs that move fluid through the body and help protect you from illness.
To gather this information, your provider may order tests such as a sentinel node biopsy, PET scan or CT scan. These tests allow your cancer care team to determine the disease stage.
The stages of male breast cancer are:
Stage 0: Cancer cells are only in the ducts. Cancer has not spread to other breast tissue.
Stage I: The tumor is small and hasnt spread to the lymph nodes.
Stage II: One of these is true:
- The tumor is smaller than 20 millimeters and has spread to a few axillary lymph nodes. Axillary nodes are lymph nodes in the armpit.
- The tumor is 20 mm to 50 mm across and has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes . Or the tumor is 20 mm to 50 mm and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes .
- The tumor is larger than 50 mm and has not spread to a few axillary lymph nodes.
Stage III: Cancer has spread typically to several lymph nodes. Cancer cells may also be in the chest wall or skin. It has not spread to other areas of the body away from the breast.
Stage IV: Cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body away from the breast. Cancer can spread to all areas of the body, including the lungs, bones, liver or brain.
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Is It Against The Law To Show A Nipple
Even though at close range you can’t tell one nipple from another, men’s nipple are not illegal anywhere in the U.S., but laws about women’s bodies are stricter . Additionally, they vary from state to state, and most don’t state explicitly what the laws forbid. Instead of clear policies, there are ambiguous phrases and vague warnings against exposing “intimate” or “private parts,â and this leaves the power of interpretation in the hands of police.
What If I Don’t Have Nipple
No sweat! If your toy collection is a little stark, says Richmond, you can improvise with common household items. Stick tape onto your nipples, then peel it off . Or experiment with temperature play, by rubbing ice on your nipples to make them more erect, then applying heat to give all those nerves a jolt. And for those with super-sensitive nipples, you may want to try feather ticklers instead of an intense toy, or even just rub on some lube, oil, or lotion. Suction toys that simulate oral sex also work incredibly well on nipples, btw.
In the end, nipple play and nipple orgasms are all about trial and error. So allow yourself and/or your partner to explore your bodys abilities with no judgment or expectations. “A nipple orgasm, like a clitoral orgasm, requires patience and curiosity. Dont be afraid to try various approaches to discover what feels good,” says Brito.
Half the fun is in the experimenting…you can’t really go wrong.
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What Are The Treatments For Male Breast Cancer
Male breast cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of the disease. Your team of providers will discuss your options with you. Your medical history will help guide what treatment is best for you. Treatments include:
- Surgery: During breast cancer surgery, your provider removes as much of the tumor as possible. You may need a lumpectomy or a mastectomy . Because men have limited breast tissue, mastectomy is more commonly done. You may also need surgery to remove lymph nodes.
- Radiation: Your provider uses targeted radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. Radiation for breast cancer usually follows surgery .
- Chemotherapy : Your provider delivers chemotherapy drugs into a vein, usually through an infusion. You might also take oral chemotherapy pills . These medications kill cancer cells and stop them from multiplying. You may receive chemo treatments over several weeks or months.
- Hormone therapy : Your provider prescribes medications that affect your hormones. These drugs may lower levels of estrogen or block the effects of estrogen. Providers usually use hormone therapy to treat women with breast cancer, but it can be an effective treatment for men, too. These medications treat breast cancers that use hormones to grow. Hormone therapy can be given in the form of pills and/or injections.
- Medications: Several medications kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Your provider will discuss these medications with you. These may include medications called targeted therapy.
What Causes Bruising And Pain In The Breast
Breast injuries that cause trauma to the breast and surrounding areas can cause symptoms that mimic IBC, such as pain, tenderness, and bruising. Direct physical contact, repetitive movements, and surgery are the most common causes of breast injuries. Like IBC, breast injuries can cause a handful of inflammatory symptoms, including:
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What Is Yale Medicines Approach To Detecting And Treating Breast Cancer In Men
Our radiologists are uniquely qualified to diagnose even the rarest forms of breast cancer, including male breast cancerearly and accurately. Our radiologists who subspecialize in breast imaging are among the most highly skilled leaders in the field. They are nationally and internationally recognized for their skill in diagnosing breast cancer. Additionally, our radiologists conduct research on 3D mammography and dense breast imaging, which is advancing the field of radiology.
A man with a breast-related complaint will be scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound within a few days, Dr. Andrejeva-Wright says. If a suspicious mass is seen, then a needle biopsy is scheduled soon after. If a diagnosis of breast cancer is made, our intake specialists coordinate all necessary appointments with the patient as soon as possible, so that treatment can begin quickly.
How Can You Tell If You Have Breast Cancer
There are a few characteristics that indicate a lump may be cancerous. Its hard to tell just by looking or touching, but this is what a breast lump typically feels like: A cancerous lump doesnt shrink and is likely to continue growing. Breast cancer can start in any part of your breast, armpit, or all the way up to your collarbone.
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Why Remove A Benign Papilloma
Papilloma removal is advised in order to prevent spreading of further infection or the proliferation of the growth. Papilloma can be a symptom of certain skin cancers and precancerous conditions it is not advised to postpone an appointment with a dermatologist for papilloma examination, removal and treatment.
If You Want To Try With A Partner
All the techniques youd use in a solo session can be followed when playing with a partner. But there are other things your partner can do to add to the experience, whether its during foreplay or right before you orgasm during intercourse.
If any of these techniques pique your interest, talk to your partner:
- Hot breath. Your partner starts by slowly breathing warm air around and onto your nipple to stimulate the nerves.
- Licking. There are so many ways your partner can lick your nipples. They can trace little circles around your areola, flick your nipple with the tip of their tongue, or use the flat of the tongue to cover more surface.
- Sucking. Dont limit it to just licking have your partner suck on your nipples, too. Drawing your nipple into their mouth will stimulate extra blood flow and increase sensitivity.
- Nibbling. If youre into it, have your partner nibble a little bit on your nipples for added sensation.
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Treatment Brings A New Normal
Roark, who retired last June from Thomas Jefferson High School in Federal Way, found chemotherapy unexpectedly enervating. It didnât feel too bad at first, but soon âIâd come home and I didnât want to move.â
His girlfriend, Deb, provided plenty of nurturing during his surgery, radiation and the chemotherapy that zapped his hair.
He went back to work part time the first June after his diagnosis, without hair and with little energy. In retrospect, he said, he took on too much. In 2015, one year after his chemotherapy ended, Roark struggled with pins and needles in his feet unfortunately, the treatment for his neuropathy leaves him foggy-headed and endlessly sleepy.
Del Gardo remembers that treatment was such a whirlwind he hardly had time to digest the knowledge that he had breast cancer. Chemotherapy sapped his strength and decimated his once thick, lustrous hair .
âIt took months for me to embrace the baldness,â Del Gardo said. âI felt like a different person.â
He also encountered side effects from hormonal therapy that he never expected, like hot flashes and joint pain. The whole ordeal left him weak â too weak to fight when his employer let him go midway through treatment. After struggling for 10 minutes to open a Gatorade bottle for his son, Del Gardo has returned to the gym to rebuild his strength.
Del Gardo is less sanguine: âPeople are visual creatures. What women want to date a guy with no nipples?â
Inverted Nipples: Common Causes
Inverted nipple Change in appearance, size, or shape of the breast or nipple Our breast cancer screenings, including mammograms, can find tumors in the breasts before symptoms develop. Schedule an appointment with a Dignity Health North State doctor to learn which breast cancer screening is beneficial for you. Risk Factor Unlike women, who’s lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 8, the risk of a man getting breast cancer is only about 1 in 1000. Fewer than 1% of all breast carcinomas occur in men An intraductal papilloma is a wart-like lump that develops in one or more of the milk ducts in the breast. It’s usually close to the nipple, but can sometimes be found elsewhere in the breast. Intraductal papilloma is a benign breast condition. It’s most common in women over 40 and usually develops naturally as the breast ages. United States for 2017 are: 1. About 2,470 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed. 2. About 460 men will die from breast cancer. Breast cancer is about 100 times less common among men than among. women. For men, the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000 The definitive risk factors for Intraductal Papilloma of Breast are not well-understood. However, the following risk factors increase one’s chances of getting breast tumors, and these include: Gender: Women have a higher risk for developing the condition than men Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk Alcohol consumptio
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What Does A Nipple Orgasm Feel Like
Many women describe a nipple orgasm as something that sneaks up on you and then explodes out of nowhere. The sensations spread throughout your whole body as the pleasure builds slowly and gradually. Then, bam! Youll feel a powerful climax thatll come in waves.
A nipple orgasm may feel even more intense during that time of the month. Hormonal changes during menstruation can increase breast sensitivity and tenderness, which may heighten arousal.
How Breast Cancer Spreads
Breast cancer can spread when the cancer cells get into the blood or lymph system and are carried to other parts of the body.
The lymph system is a network of lymph vessels found throughout the body. The lymph vessels carry lymph fluid and connect lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped collections of immune system cells. Lymph vessels are like small veins, except that they carry a clear fluid called lymph away from the breast. Lymph contains tissue fluid and waste products, as well as immune system cells. Breast cancer cells can enter lymph vessels and start to grow in lymph nodes. Most of the lymph vessels of the breast drain into:
- Lymph nodes under the arm
- Lymph nodes around the collar bone
- Lymph nodes inside the chest near the breast bone
If the cancer cells have spread to your lymph nodes, there is a higher chance that the cells could have also traveled through the lymph system and spread to other parts of your body. The more lymph nodes with breast cancer cells, the more likely it is that the cancer may be found in other organs. Because of this, finding cancer in one or more lymph nodes often affects your treatment plan. Usually, surgery to remove one or more lymph nodes will be needed to know whether the cancer has spread.
Still, not all men with cancer cells in their lymph nodes develop metastases to other areas, and some men can have no cancer cells in their lymph nodes and later develop metastases.
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How Can I Maximize Nipple Sensitivity Or Sensation
At various times of the month, like when you have your period, for example, your nipples might be more sensitive. So if the sensation isn’t a painful one, you might take advantage of your increased responsiveness during this time of the month, says Richmond.
If you’re trying out nip play with a partner, have them stroke or twist your nipples to your liking. Then have them bring their mouth into ita little rolling of their tongue and sucking around your areola and nips can feel ah-mazing. Like a little nibbling? Have them go for it.
If all that stimulation still isn’t quite enough to bring you to the brink, you may want to bring in some toys. Start with a toy you already have, like a trusty vibrator. Your best bet is to use one that packs a serious punch , since some nipples need more stimulation than the clitoris to achieve orgasm.
If you want to work with a nipple-specific toy, Boyajian recommends nipple suckers, which “create sucking pressure around the nipple and areola, much like what a person’s mouth would feel like.”
Or, if you want even more pressure, you can try nipple clamps. They might sound a bit intimidating, like BDSM-esque, but they’re actually pretty low-key. They work by cutting off circulation to the nipples, so that when you release the clamp, the rush of blood creates a wave of pleasure.
Genetics And Family History
A genetic mutation is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene. The result is that one or more of the body’s processes may not work in the way they should.
There are a number of genetic mutations known to increase your risk of developing breast cancer. The most significant mutation identified is known as the BRCA2 mutation. Faulty genes are believed to be the cause of male breast cancer in around 1 or 2 in every 10 cases.
There’s also evidence that breast cancer can run in families, especially in men who have a first-degree relative who has developed breast cancer, such as a mother or sister.
Routine testing for the faulty genes that cause breast cancer in men isn’t usually carried out on the NHS, unless specifically requested by a specialist. However, some private clinics may offer gene testing. Tests can be expensive, with prices ranging from around £2,000 to £3,000.
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