Earlier this month, Mathew Knowles, the father and former manager of Beyoncé and Solange, announced that he received treatment for breast cancer. Breast cancer in men is rare, representing less than 1% of all breast cancers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year, about 245,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,200 in men, and about 41,000 women and 460 men in the U.S. die each year. Because of its rarity, male breast cancer is not often talked about. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and all year-round, it’s important to discuss this key health topic.
Overall, breast cancer can occur in men at any age, but usually occurs in men between the ages of 60 and 70. It most commonly presents as a palpable breast lump. Risk factors include age, strong family history of breast cancer, mutations in genes such as BRCA1…
