Physiology of the Male Breast

Video Transcript

"Although breast cancer cases, among men, are rare it does occur. As a matter of fact, the instance rate, of male breast cancer, has steadily increased, every year, since 1975, therefore, it's important for a man to perform a monthly breast self examination, so he can get familiar with the way his breast normally look and feel and he's able to detect in changes, in his breast tissue, that should be immediately communicated, to his physician. Before you perform, a monthly breast self examination, try and understand what your breast are made up of. In a female, our breasts are made up of fatty tissue, lobules and milk ducts, primarily. In a man, you'll notice, the absence of the lobules and milk ducts. So a mans, breast tissue, is comprised mostly, of fatty tissue. Breast cancer is typically, or most likely, originates in the ductal tissue. Notice, that a man, has a lesser amount, of ductal tissue, and therefore, seems to be, at a lesser risk of contracting breast cancer. However, it's important to know the look and feel, of your breast. In men, breast cancer is the same as it is in women, causing either a lump, a protruding lump, such as this, or a dimpling or puckering of the skin, such as found here, in this model. Breast cancer, can often be mistaken, by a healthy or normal, benign cyst, such as this. A man can notice that the edges, of a fluid filled cyst, are smooth and round, unlike the typical rough or uneven edges, found in a breast cancer tumor. Men, often mistake, or don't associate, their breast cancer symptoms, such as a lump or skin puckering, with breast cancer. Thereby, allowing breast cancer to grow. For example, as this cancer tumor does, into the chest wall. Unfortunately, most men, don't realize they can get breast cancer, so, if they see a symptom, such as this, they allow breast cancer to grow and spread, creating a more difficult or more invasive, treatment option and also, a higher mortality rate. Men, it is important to get to know the look and feel, of your breast, and report any changes to your physician."