Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations for Men at Higher Risk Due to an Inherited Gene Mutation or Strong Family History

Breast cancer in men is rare, but it does happen (about one percent of all breast cancer cases in the U.S.) [49]. Men have much less breast tissue compared to women and are not routinely screened for breast cancer. Breast cancer screening is only recommended for some men at higher risk due to an inherited gene mutation or a strong family history. For these men, screening may increase the chances that breast cancer is found early, when the chances for survival are highest.

If you have concerns about your risk of breast cancer, talk to your health care provider.

Men at higher risk of breast cancer

Some men may have a higher risk of breast cancer, including those with a [20]:

BRCA2 or BRCA1 gene mutation (or a first-degree relative with a mutation)
Strong family history of breast cancer, such as mother and/or sister diagnosed at age 40 or younger

http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/ScreeningRecommendationsforMenatHigherRisk.html

How do I (a man) know if I should get tested for BRCA?

Men from families with a history of breast and ovarian cancer should consider testing for a BRCA gene mutation particularly if any of the breast cancers occurred before age 50 (in either female or male relatives). Men with breast cancer themselves are highly likely to have a BRCA mutation and should consider testing. Men who have prostate cancer and a family history of breast cancer should also think about testing.

For more information on BRCA risks and prevention in Men, visit:

Breast Cancer Genes Can Affect Men, Too
by American Cancer Society

http://inthefamily.kartemquin.com/content/men-and-brca