Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Causes of Cancer of the breast, male

There are a number of factors that are thought to increase the risk of breast cancer in men. These include:

• A close relative (male or female) with a history of breast cancer. The risk is higher if several close relatives are involved, if the relative was under 40, or if they had it in both breasts. About 5-10% of cases are thought to have a genetic basis.
• A rare genetic condition call Klinefelter’s syndrome, which means the man has an extra female chromosome. 
• High oestrogen (female sex hormone) levels; this is rare in men but can be caused by conditions such as liver damage and obesity. 
• Low androgen (male hormone) levels. This can be caused by genetic conditions such as Klinefelter’s syndrome; mumps, liver failure or damage to hormone-producing glands; or due to injury to the testicles. 
• Exposure to high levels of radiation (other than normal background radiation), especially when young. This may be as a result of high radiation in the workplace, or because of previous treatment with radiation in the chest area, for example for Hodgkin’s lymphoma or lung cancer.

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

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