Can teen boys get breast cancer?

Can teen boys get breast cancer?

Im not a boy but one of my friends think he has breast cancer and he's serious. the docters even said he needs to come back for test cause they found a lump. I just want to know the %tage of teen boys around 13-18 years getting breast cancer?

Can teen boys get breast cancer?

I do not think that your friend has anything to worry about. Although breast cancer does occur in men, only 180 men in Canada out of the 22,880 cases are a man. 

The risk of developing breast cancer are much higher for a woman, and for a young woman the likelihood of developing breast cancer under the age of 30 is low, accounting for only 0.5% of cancers. 

As mentioned, breast cancer does occur in men, however, due to the low risk of your friends age bracket I would guess that he probably has a condition called gynecomastia. 

For your information, here are some of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer in men: 

Risk Factors for Men: 

 High levels of estrogens and low levels of androgens. Some diseases can disrupt hormone levels in the male body. A liver disease called cirrhosis. A genetic disorder called Klinefelter’s syndrome. 

 Genetics. 

Relatives with breast cancer, especially relatives with a change in the BRCA2 gene. About 15% of men with breast cancer will have a mutation in this gene, which they inherited from one of their parents. Men who carry these gene mutations may pass them along to their children. Daughters of men with breast cancer have a 2 to 3 time’s greater risk of developing breast cancer. 

 Excess breast tissue: A condition called gynecomastia, - abnormal estrogen or androgen levels are often associated with gynecomastia – risk association is unclear. 

 Radiation exposure to the chest. 

 Age – most commonly diagnosed in men over 60. 

Signs and Symptoms: 

 Painless lump in the breast tissue, often around the nipple – most common sign. 

 Breast swelling or tenderness. 

 Redness, scaling or puckering of the breast skin or nipple. 

 Nipple discharge. 

The presence of one or more of these symptoms does not mean breast cancer. It does mean you should see a trained health care professional.