By David Blyweiss, M.D.

This time every year, I’m happy to see how widespread the campaign to boost awareness of breast cancer in women has become. But just because those ribbons are pink, don’t think this is just a women’s problem. Men can get breast cancer, too.

Did you know that nearly 80 percent of men who are at high risk for the disease don’t even know that they can get breast cancer? The American Cancer Society estimates that this year about 2,000 new cases of invasive male breast cancer will be diagnosed and about 390 men will die.

Compared to one in eight women who will be touched by breast cancer, it may not seem nearly as critical. But if you’re one of those men with a greater risk of developing the disease, it’s plenty important!

Are you at risk? You might be if you have a mother or sister who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. In fact, one in five men with breast cancer has a close relative with the disease. But family history is just one of the many risk factors. Others include:

• Being over 60 since the older you are, the greater the risk.

• Radiation exposure (multiple or frequent x-rays or CAT scans) to the chest.

• Alcohol, especially if you drink heavily.

• Obesity.

• Liver disease, since this can cause low levels of androgens and higher estrogen levels.

• Estrogen therapy for prostate cancer.

• Occupational exposure, especially if you work in a hot environment such as a steel mill since long-term exposure to higher temperature can affect the testicles, which in turn can affect hormone levels. Heavy exposure to gasoline fumes or other toxins may also increase risk.

No matter what your risk factors are, there are steps you can take today to lower your risk:

• Eat your veggies. Studies show that compounds in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and spinach rev up your immune system and inhibit breast cancer cells. Indole-3-carbinol occurs naturally in crucifers, and is a powerful antioxidant that scavenges free radicals and protects your cells from damage. Sulforaphane not only targets and kills cancer stem cells, but it also prevents new malignancies from growing.
• Drink alcohol moderately. Limit yourself to no more than two drinks daily.
• Get some exercise. A review of 73 clinical trials shows that regular exercise can cut your risk by 25%.

And if you’re a man and discover a lump or abnormality in your chest area, have it checked by your doctor immediately. It might even save your life.

References:

Friedenreich CM. The role of physical activity in breast cancer etiology. Seminars in Oncology. 2010;37:297-302.

Li Y. Sulforaphane, a dietary component of broccoli/broccoli sprouts, inhibits breast cancer stem cells. Clinical Cancer Research. 2010;16:2580-2590.

“What are the key statistics about breast cancer in men?” American Cancer Society. www.cancer.org.