Yes, men can develop breast cancer. However it is rare. Less than 0.5% of all breast cancers occur in men and they account for less than 1% of all male cancers. Or, to put it another way, approximately 1 in 200 men will develop a breast cancer during their lifetime whereas the figure for women is 1 in 12. Lifetime risk refers to the risk of developing a cancer in the whole of a person’s lifetime assuming that a person lives to be elderly (85). Breast cancer is more common in men over 60 years. Because many are unaware that breast cancer can occur in men, some delay consulting their doctors about breast lumps resulting in a delay in diagnosis.

For the majority of men who do develop breast cancer no obvious cause can be found. In about one third there is a strong family history of breast cancer, suggesting a possible genetic link in these cases. Other factors known to increase the chances of developing male breast cancer include chronic liver disease and some testicular abnormalities, both of which can alter the balance of hormones in the body, which may lead to the development of breast cancer.