The Times-Journal

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 | DeKalb County's Oldest Newspaper

Classifieds | Jobs | Homes | Autos

Men can be impacted by breast cancer

By Lindsay Slater
The Times-Journal

Published October 16, 2009

While most think of women in terms of breast cancer, men are not immune.

The American Cancer Society estimates 1,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in the United States and in 2009. About 440 men in the U.S. will die from the disease.

Surgical oncologist Dr. William Harris, who owns a private practice in DeKalb County, said breast cancer in men is very rare.

“It’s so rare, in fact, most men have a genetic variant to even have the disease,” Harris said.

According to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime risk for men getting breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000, 100 times less common than women.

Men who have breast cancer receive the same treatment as women but Harris said a diagnosis for a man usually comes late.

“Breast cancer in men is usually found later than women because it isn’t screened for it because it is so rare,” Harris said. “Upon diagnosis, it usually requires a mastectomy, which is removal of the nipple and breast tissue.”

Harris said the prognosis is the same for men in the same stage as a woman with breast cancer.

According to the Alabama Cancer Registry, there are 48 cases of male breast cancer per year in Alabama. Five of the 48 cases result in death.

Share | Save | Mail | Print

Photo Reprints
Purchase select photographs from local games and events. New from The Times-Journal and The Times-Journal.

Business Card Directory

Your Fort Payne and DeKalb County reference guide, featuring accounting, automotive, banks, insurance, restaurants and much more!

Subscription Services: Circulation | Home Delivery | Back Issues | Vacation Stops | Newspapers In Education

The Fort Payne Times-Journal | Publisher: J.D. Davidson

811 Greenhill Blvd.NW, Fort Payne, Alabama 35967 | Tel: 256-845-2550 | Email