Risk Factors
High estrogen levels in males can
Male breast cancer can occur at any age, but it is most commonly detected between the ages of 60 and 70 years. Older age is thus a risk factor of male breast cancer.
Excessive consumption of alcohol places men at increased risk of acquiring breast cancer.
Drugs related to estrogen increase the risk of male breast cancer. Estrogen-containing drugs may be used in
Men with a family history of breast cancer are at increased risk of getting the same.
Conditions producing excess of estrogen that can lead to breast cancer are:
- Men with Klinefelter’s syndrome (a genetic syndrome) produce low levels of male sex hormones (androgens). The production of estrogen (female sex hormone) is high in these men.
- Liver disease (for example cirrhosis of the liver) is another condition in which the body produces female sex hormone (estrogen) in excess of male sex hormone.
- In obese males, androgens are converted to estrogen by fat cells. With more estrogen in the circulation, these men are at increased risk of breast cancer.
Prior exposure to radiation, for example radiotherapy, is also a risk factor.
