BC in young males

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terrbird2
terrbird2 Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Male Breast Cancer

Hello~  I am interested in learning more about BC in young males (teens and early 20's).  I'm wondering how often it is mistakenly diagnosed as gynecomastia?  Anyone with experience or info on this?  Thank you!

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  • ithaca
    ithaca Member Posts: 25
    edited May 2010

    Breast cancer in men is quite uncommon in general, and it's extraordinarily uncommon before the age of 40. I read about one man who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 24, but that's the youngest I've ever heard reported anywhere. Most guys with breast cancer are diagnosed in their 50s, 60s and 70s. On the other hand, gynecomastia is quite common in young males. This is a good overview on the topic:

    http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/men/general/080.html

    I hope this helps!

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  • 1rarebird
    1rarebird Member Posts: 91
    edited May 2010

    The browser I use (FireFox) will not let me paste the link here, but if you Google 'boys breast cancer' you will get several links on this subject.  Near the bottom of the page Google returns is a link to a case of a 7.5 year old boy with breast cancer.

    But I believe as Ithaca points out that breast cancer in boys is a very rare event.  However, my surgeon opined that abnormalities in the epithelial cells of my breast may have been present when I was just 17 years old.  I experienced a lump there which was removed by our family doctor who called it a "cyst".  45 years later my surgeon removed an invasive breast carcinoma from the same area.  Are the two events connected in some way?  My surgeon thinks they may well be in my case.

    Good luck with your research.

    bird

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  • Bose611
    Bose611 Member Posts: 5
    edited September 2010

    I was diagnosed at age 11. 

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  • 1rarebird
    1rarebird Member Posts: 91
    edited September 2010

    Bose---Care to let us know your age now and how you were treated?  Longterm survival with this disease is the goal of all male breast cancer survivors and your experiences could help us find the best course of action to pursue.  None the less, good luck to you--

    bird

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  • ChrisBern
    ChrisBern Member Posts: 33
    edited September 2010

    I've been diagnosed at 31 about two years ago. My mom and grandma died of breast cancer at a very young age. Since I'm BRCA2, I had last year a bilateral mastectomy. I received chemo (4 AC + 4 Taxol) and nom I'm on Tamoxifen. No side effets except insomnia.

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  • Klassyklaws
    Klassyklaws Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2010

    Hi gang, I am in freak out mode as my 17yo son came to me with a lump and had a scan today. They have reported a 3cm lump in left breast near nipple and a 3.3cm axilla mass?? They did not put the report in and the ultrasound guy went out and brought in the specialist. They then chatted for 20 mins and told him to get his mum to take him docs straight away this week. I could not be there with him as I was attending my reconstruction appointment as I had bilateral MX on June 20 this year. We are a BRCA1 family so of course this weighs heavily on us.. I am having lunch with my breast care nurse tomorrow and hope she can shed some light on the scan. Chris what were your symptoms and did you have axilla involvement? Thanks Kelly

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  • ChrisBern
    ChrisBern Member Posts: 33
    edited September 2010

    Klassyklaws,

    I had no axilla involment and no symptom.

    I just found a small lump in my right breast under my nipple. I was making myself a shoulder/breast massage after a tennis session and then I discovered it. I immediately think at my mother who died at 33 of BC and decided to consult a specialist.

    Good luck!

    Christian

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  • Bose611
    Bose611 Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2010

    I am currently 26 years old.  Ill be 27 in june...Making July the 16 year mark. 

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  • hisbca
    hisbca Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2010
    A great resource for breast cancer in males - http://www.hisbreastcancer.org
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  • Soccermom4force
    Soccermom4force Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2011

    Male breast cancer at any age us a "red flag" for hereditary breast cancer. Please visit www.facingourrisk.org A site that is specific to those who are considered "high risk or have a confirmed Genetic mutation. BRCA information is invaluable for any men with breast cancer and or primary peritoneal .

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  • ssydor
    ssydor Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2011

    I was diagnosed 7 months ago... right after my 38th birthday.  I had a mastectomy, and just completed 4 rounds of chemo (AC).  I am just starting Tamoxifen.

    I am the youngest case of male breast cancer that all of my Doctors have come across.  Apparenlty it is rare, but does happen.  Luckily for me I caught it early, and had a doctor who took my lump seriously and didn't write it off as a cyst or something.

    I am going in September to have some genetic testing done.  I suspect I will test positive for BRCA 1 or 2 mutations.  We'll see what happens.

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  • EricV
    EricV Member Posts: 64
    edited June 2011

    I was diag in March, but I have had a lump since I was 25 that all of the doctors I saw thought it was a cycst, and to let it be.I had a test and I am BRCA1&2 negative, even thought my grandmother died at 54 (first dx at 45).

    I am currenty on Abraxane weekly, and it is not bad. I have  a bit of brain-fog today though.

    When I went to Seattle for my second opinion, my ONC said I was one of the youngest he had seen for MBC.

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  • Denise2730
    Denise2730 Member Posts: 648
    edited September 2011

    My 24 year old son went for his ultrasound yesterday. The radiologist said he was pretty sure it is gynecomastia but due to the family history (I had DMX last month and DH died of lung cancer last year) they are going to do a biopsy also next week.

    Naturally my son is freaking out a little bit.

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited September 2011

    Chiluvr, best of luck to your son.

    Leah

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  • Denise2730
    Denise2730 Member Posts: 648
    edited September 2011

    Thank you Leah.

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