Only 10% of all breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary. Some of the factors that increase the occurrence of hereditary breast cancer are breast cancer before age 45, male breast cancer, cancer in both breasts and many cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer on one side of the family. If you have two relatives from the same side of your family with breast cancer, your risk of getting the disease can be increased. However it does not mean that you will definitely get breast cancer.

Breast cancer is very uncommon in male. In families carrying the breast cancer associated genes, male members may be affected disproportionately compared to the general population. In the general population female to male breast cancer may occur at a rate of 1 to 100 (1:100 for male: female).

Yes, it really does happen. It is certainly not as common as in women but approximately one to 1.5% happens to men. Older men most often diagnosed with it and are between sixty and seventy years old. If a man has had previous exposure to radiation, such as for cancer treatment, their risk increases. Approximately 20% of men with a mother, sister or other close female relatives with breast cancer are certainly at higher risk.

It should be noted as well that while male breast cancer is more common than a lot of people think, these lumps in a mans breast are not cancerous, however, as usual, if in doubt, contact your doctor as soon as possible in order to eliminate the possibility.

Male breast cancer happens when there is an uncontrollable growth of the small amount of non-functioning breast tissues. These breast tissues do not produce milk and are found in the area directly behind the nipple, on the chest wall.

Risk factors include aging, exposure to radiation, a family history of the disease, heavy alcohol intake, obesity, lack of exercise, high estrogen levels, and those who work in hot environments. This year, the American Cancer Society estimates that 2,030 new cases will be diagnosed among men. In the United Kingdom, there are 300 new cases of male breast cancer yearly.

The notable point about male breast cancer is that the prognosis is worse in men than in women and treatment of men with breast cancer is similar to that of the treatment given to older women. Because the male breast tissue is confined to the area directly behind the nipple, treatment for males has usually been a mastectomy.

If the breast growth is bilateral and you are not fat, go see a doctor. If the growth is on one side only, like a lump, it may be a rare form of male breast cancer. Get checked out by a doctor. When you get a clean bill of health, ask yourself if you might possibly be carrying a few extra pounds and not hitting the gym as often as you should be.

Overly prominent male breasts are relatively common and estimates have shown that an incredible 40% of adult men suffer from this condition so they are not alone. The medical term used for this is gynecomastia is a benign male breast condition in which a male has one or two prominent breasts. This condition does not increase a man's risk of developing male breast cancer.