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Posted 1/16/2007 6:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I am a 22-year old male. I have male breast tissue, more-so than other guys I'd say. I mean, it's not too bad, and no one really notices unless I have my shirt off. I guess it has to do with the fact I tuck in my shirt tight enough to avoid visual evidence. Anyway, is male breast cancer something I need to worry about? I have a physical yearly, but my doctor doesn't seem to mention anything about it. When I look, there aren't any bumps or abnormalities at all. I mean, the only time I think I might feel a bump is when my nipples get hard, and there are bumps around the nipple, but I think it's just from it getting hard. A lot of times when I think about health issues too much, I get it in my head that I really feel something when I'm really fine.

I also read on a website that when women wear bras it increases their chances of getting breast cancer. I wondered if tucking in of the undershirt tight would cause similar instances. I also read this on WebMD: "Rumors have spread rapidly by e-mail, but no studies have shown that antiperspirants, underwire bras, cell phones, or breast implants can increase the risk of, much less cause, breast cancer. The biggest factors for breast cancer are being a woman and growing older."

I'm just curious, and I should mention that I get anxiety pretty bad about health issues, so I thought coming to this forum might help ease my mind a little.

Thanks so much!

Post Edited (scoyle) : 1/15/2007 11:48:21 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/16/2007 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Can someone help me out with these questions when you get a chance?

Thanks again!

Posted 1/16/2007 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
Male breast cancer is so rare, you really shouldn't be concerned about it at all. If you want peace of mind, ask your doctor how to perform a self-breast exam. But really, its not something you shoudl be overly concerned about. I promise :)
Posted 1/16/2007 10:17 PM (GMT 0)

Hi

I am not real clear on male breast cancer. I do know 2 men who have had Breast Cancer, but both were over 55 yrs old. Having more breast tissue shouldnt mean a greater chance of BC. Also, if you have a lump you would know it (although some are back so close to chest wall they cant be felt)and not only if the nipple is hard.

I dont think tucking in your undershirt can be compared to an underwire bra...so PLEASE forget about it and enjoy your life. you are only 22 yrs old. Have your annual physical, That is important..but otherwise relax. One of our board members always tells us "Dont worry until you have something to worry about " and right now I feel you have nothing to worry about.

Please go enjoy yourself....have fun !!!!

Cathi


Posted 1/16/2007 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Scoyle, If you are really worried then I would see your Dr and have him check you out. As Ali said, it is pretty rare for a man to have bc, but not impossible. Unless you feel a lump, I doubt you have anything to worry about. Just talk to your Dr about it if it will ease your mind. Take care.
Gail
Posted 1/17/2007 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the information. I Def. don't notice or feel any noticeable bumps, so I would think I'm alright... Ali, do you have any information on the whole shirt tucked in tightly thing?

I appreciate the information.

Thanks again!

Post Edited (scoyle) : 1/16/2007 7:18:16 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/17/2007 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
Any thoughts on that aspect? Whenever you get a chance... Thanks again for the info.
Posted 1/17/2007 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
As for the bra thing, I don't think that there is any medical study that shows wearing a bra causes breast cancer. If there were, none of us would be wearing them, I'm sure! There's also the one about deoderants causing breast cancer. I don't think many of us have stopped using deoderants, either. So, my advice would be to tuck in that shirt to your heart's content.

As for male brca, it is rare, and it tends to be genetic, as well. So unless you have dozens of relatives who have breast cancer, chances are slim that you will get it. Many of the breast cancer sites have information on performing a self-breast exam. It's not difficult, and it might give you some peace of mind.

Prostate cancer is really the equivalent for men of breast cancer in women. While you're checking out self-exams, might I suggest that you learn to examine for that as well. Much more likely to save your life.
Posted 1/18/2007 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the help! The only person I know of in my family that's had breast cancer is one of my Grandmothers... I think I can move on from this though. Thanks for the help again all!
Posted 1/18/2007 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, my grandmother on my fathers side had breast cancer. Is that a legitimate reason to worry as a 22 year old male? Again, I'm not freaking out here at all and I don't want people to get that impression. I'm just seeking some information and opinions, that's all.

As of now, there are no bumps I can feel or any irregularities I can see.

Thanks again!
Posted 1/26/2007 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hey all! If my grandmother on my father's side had breast cancer, and she is the only one in my family I know of that's had it, should that be a concern for me as a guy? I'm not overly concerned at all, just curious... Thanks!
Posted 1/26/2007 4:56 PM (GMT 0)

I don't think that you have any reason to be concerned. It is normally the women that need to be worried. You still seem to have concerns, so why not make an appt w/ your ps and get checked out. That way your mind can be put at ease plus he/she can tell you if there is any reason that you should be concerned. I honestly believe that is the only thing that is left for you to do. This is exactly the same thing that any of us here would tell a female that posted w/ the same concerns.

Deb

Posted 1/26/2007 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Deb, I don't think that's necessary though. I'm not concerned, I'm just seeking information. I just wanted to see if anyone knew if my grandmother on my father's side of the family had breast cancer, if my (as a 22 year old male with breast tissue) chances are greater.

As for making an appointment, I'll probably just mention it next time I get a physical at the end of the year.

But yeah, I wasn't overly concerned, and not concerned enough to go get a breast exam. I just wanted to see if that would increase my chances of getting breast cancer along with the fact that I have more breast tissue than I guess the average male though it's not TOO excessive. It's easy to hide, haha. Does anyone know?

Thanks.

Post Edited (scoyle) : 1/26/2007 1:43:48 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/26/2007 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Typically if a woman asks such questions, we suggest they see a genetics counselor to see what the risk factor is. If you really want to know, that's who needs to answer your question. No one on this board can do that. Now, if you were taking female hormones to enlarge your breasts, we might be more concerned.

You've asked the same question three times in the same thread...so I would interpret that as "overly concerned." Again, a genetics counselor is your best bet for an answer.
Posted 1/27/2007 6:54 AM (GMT 0)
No, not taking any hormones at all. I was just very overweight in the past, and lost 60 pounds, but some things stayed the same... And contrary to your belief, I am not overly concerned. I feel like I can seek different opinions and information without being overly concerned, just curious. If you don't know the answer, that's fine. That doesn't mean someone else doesn't know. I was just asking people who might know something about it.

I appreciate your response though. Thanks for taking time to try to help. Anyone else who might have some knowledge of the situation I presented before, feel free to give me some information if you have anything for me.

Thanks again!

Post Edited (scoyle) : 1/27/2007 12:16:49 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/27/2007 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
As you are aware, this is a breast cancer forum and, throught no fault of the members here, we deal w/ the concerns and problems of women w/ breast cancer. If a man should post that has been diagnosed w/ breast cancer, I feel quite certain that we would support him in the same way that we support each other. We have given you our thoughts and ideas but it seems that you still want more. I doubt that you are going to find ANYONE here that can help you and you don't seem to want to seek the knowledge and help of a your physician or anyone in the medical field.

Here is a link that I hope will help you find the answers you are seeking. Please don't feel that you need to post and give me your opinion. It isn't necessary.

/main/art.asp?li=USA&articlekey=47819 href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?li=USA&articlekey=47819">http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?li=USA&articlekey=47819

Good luck. I hope this helps answer your questions.

Deb

Posted 1/27/2007 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Deb! I'm not giving an opinion here, but thanking you for the information...

After reading it, I came across Klinefelter's syndrome. Do enlarged breasts in males mean they have this? I read that sperm may not be able to bee produced if you have this, and therefore can't have children. I certainly don't have problems producing it, so should I rule out this syndrome? Sorry for the response, I know you weren't looking for it, but I didn't see a forum for this syndrome.

Thanks so much, and this will be the last question I ask.
Posted 1/27/2007 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
A genetics counselor could answer all these questions and more, should you be able to come up with any other concern. Of course, it wouldn't be free and it wouldn't be as much fun for you...but guess what? Klinefelter DOES put one at greater risk for breast cancer due to the extra "X" chromosome. So maybe you DO have something to worry about.
Posted 1/27/2007 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have the money for a couselor like that, ok? That's why I'm trying to seek some information here.

I don't think I have Kleinfelter's though. I read that when you have that, you're not able to produce sperm, your testicles are small, and you have less genital hair, etc. I'm fine in all those areas. Does anyone know if I'd be in the clear of that being OK in these areas? The previous post worried me greatly.

Post Edited (scoyle) : 1/27/2007 1:11:52 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/28/2007 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to be blunt, but I think it's time to get this person off of this forum. We've lost special people for supporting women who they actually thought really had breast cancer and now we're dealing with the same question and the same silly run around from someone who's questions have been answered over and over. There must be some forum hosts that can deal with this in it's finality, since it is clear to me, and probably many others, that this is someone out for a few thrills. Perhaps psychotherapy can help?

Just my few cents worth!

Laure'
Posted 1/28/2007 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
I agree, Laure'. After reading all of this today, it's pretty obvious there's
something other than a breast cancer concern. As far as the other
parts go, I couldn't care less.

He needs to go and find someone else to pester. Time for a complaint
to admin.

Disgusted, Jo-Ann
Posted 1/28/2007 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
Laure' and Jo-Ann, I agree with both of you. Sound advice has been given to this "person" and he seems to thrive on continuing to take up space on this board. I had decided that after my last post and reading his comments that I was NOT going to waste anymore time on this jerk. I also hope that admin will do something to stop block him from posting. I think the sad thing is that the next time a male comes to this site and asks for help, we are going to be very leary in even taking the time to read his post.

Also Disgusted...Deb

Posted 1/28/2007 7:38 AM (GMT 0)
I sincerely apologize if I've offended any of you, honestly. I have some anxiety issues obviously. I was just seeking information, and my intent was not to get "cheap thrills" out of this at all. I appreciate the help I've been given, but I'm also hurt due to the mis-interpretations I must have given you that would cause you to call me a jerk. I cannot imagine the pain anyone who has a disease such as this goes through, and I surely didn't intend to take anyone away from helping others. I simply have a problem with accepting answers without seeking more opinions.

Again, I apologize, and ask for forgiveness.

Best of luck.
Posted 1/28/2007 9:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone

I checked into this guy when he first started posting and asking the same questions OVER & OVER, he has been posting on the AIDS & HIV site asking about weather he might be positive even after he had been tested twice and both came back negative. I don't know what his deal is but I think he needs to find another place to PLAY.

Bernadette
Posted 1/28/2007 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
Again, I apologize. My intent was nor harmful in any way. And as for the HIV questions, those were completely legitimate, and I had only been tested once, and my questions were whether I should get a retest. I got to know people in that forum pretty well, and they helped me greatly through a tough time.

I apologize if I offended anyone here, and I don't know how many more times I can say it to be forgiven, but I didn't intend to upset anyone. I just wanted information. But please don't bring up my other problems from past expiriences. Those were very personal, and probably the toughest time in my life.

So I will stop "bothering" everyone if that's what I'm doing. Just stop taking shots at me.

Post Edited (scoyle) : 1/28/2007 7:00:52 AM (GMT-7)

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