What is the first treatment tried for breast cancer in men?

Because men usually have less breast tissue, surgery commonly removes the breast tissue and nipple area with a mastectomy. The surgeon may also assess nearby lymph nodes to learn whether cancer has spread beyond the breast. The pathology report then describes the tumour and its receptors.

Hormone therapy may be recommended when the cancer is hormone-receptor positive. It works by reducing hormonal stimulation of cancer cells and is often taken for an extended course. Other treatments may be considered when pathology, lymph-node findings, or overall health indicate them.

Ask for the biopsy and receptor results, the proposed operation, and whether lymph nodes will be sampled. Tell the team about medicines, previous operations, heart problems, and concerns about wound healing, arm movement, body image, or sexual health.

After surgery, follow wound-care instructions and begin the recommended shoulder exercises. Ask when pathology will be reviewed and whether hormone therapy is advised, including how it is taken and which side effects need reporting.

After surgery, contact the care team for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, fever, worsening pain, or a wound that opens. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, sudden weakness, or heavy bleeding.

Ask whether mastectomy is recommended, what the lymph-node assessment involves, and what the pathology says about hormone receptors. Ask about reconstruction, recovery, arm symptoms, and whether hormone therapy could reduce the chance of the cancer returning.