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The slight rise in male breast cancer numbers--some 1,600 cases
are forecast this year--is still bad news for men and their doctors
who don’t even know to look for it, according to researchers.
Taking the increase into account, male breast cancers amounts to
0.6 percent of all reported breast cancers and slightly more of
all malignancies diagnosed in males.
Still, researchers believe a 25 percent increase in such cancers
over the past quarter-century is worrisome, but not so surprising.
Breast cancer in women has grown dramatically at the same time.
Researchers were stumped for answers, although obesity is thought
to be a cause due to the presence of estrogen.
Another concern: Male breast cancer is typically diagnosed in men
at age 67 versus 62 for women, meaning male cancers were likely
in an advanced stage. Males and their doctors may be diverted from
an accurate diagnosis due to enlargement of the breasts or gynecomastia,
a common and benign condition.
In 2004, breast cancer will kill some 40,000 Americans and affect
about five times more.
Yahoo!
News May 24, 2004
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