Risk Factors
A risk factor is anything that increases the possibility of developing a disease. We do not know the exact causes of breast cancer, but here are some known risk factors:
Old age
A man's risk for developing breast cancer increases with age. The average age of a male breast cancer diagnosis is between 60 and 70 years of age.
Race
African-Americans are at a higher risk for developing male breast cancer than are Caucasians.
Family history of breast cancer
Men with a close relative (male or female) who has had breast cancer are at an increased risk for developing the disease.
BRCA gene mutations
Having a mutation in the breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA2 increases a man's risk for the disease. Mutations in the BRCA1, CHEK2, and PTEN genes may also increase this risk slightly.
Previous radiation therapy
Men who have been treated with radiation therapy to the chest (for another type of cancer) have an increased risk for developing breast cancer.
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Liver disease/Cirrhosis of the liver
Cirrhosis occurs when damaged liver cells are replaced with scar tissue. Cirrhosis is often caused by alcohol abuse or by infection with hepatitis B or C. Men with cirrhosis have higher levels of estrogen, which increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
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Klinefelter syndrome
Klinefelter syndrome is a sex chromosome disorder that may cause symptoms such as low testosterone, increased estrogen, male breast growth, and shrunken testicles. This increases a man's risk for breast cancer.
Obesity
Obesity can increase a man's estrogen levels, which increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer
The greater a man's exposure to estrogen, the greater his risk for developing breast cancer. Certain estrogen-based drugs used in hormone therapy for prostate cancer may increase this risk.
