Men With High Levels Of Oestrogen More Likely To Develop Male Breast Cancer Than Other Men, Study Finds

Although breast cancer is a disease we usually associate with women, around 350-400 new cases of male breast cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year.

Now, a study has found men with naturally high levels of the female hormone oestrogen are at greater risk of the disease than other men.

Researchers found that men with the highest levels were two and a half times more likely to develop the disease than those with the lowest.

This is the first time oestrogen circulating in the blood has been positively linked to male breast cancer, despite the known connection between the hormone and breast, womb and ovarian cancers in women.

Each year, almost 50,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer, making it primarily - but not exclusively - a female disease.

The new study compared oestrogen levels in 101 men who went on to develop breast cancer and 217 healthy men.

Lead researcher Professor Tim Key, Cancer Research UK's hormone and nutrition expert at Oxford University, said: "We've shown for the first time that just like some forms of the cancer in women, oestrogen has a big role to play in male breast cancer.

"So now the challenge is to find out exactly what this hormone is doing to trigger this rare form of the disease in men, and why some men have higher levels of oestrogen in their blood. Our discovery is a crucial step forward in understanding the factors behind male breast cancer."

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The symptoms of breast cancer and the way it is diagnosed and treated are very similar in both men and women.

For men, age is the biggest risk factor with almost eight out of 10 cases being diagnosed in patients at least 60 years old.

Dr Julie Sharp, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: "Breast cancer in men isn't discussed very often, so a diagnosis can be a big shock for the small group of men who develop the disease.

"Some of the oestrogen variation in men will simply be natural, but for others there may be a link to being overweight.

"Fat cells in the body are thought to drive up the body's level of this hormone in men and women, so this is another good reason to try and keep a healthy weight.

"This early research is crucial in understanding why these men get breast cancer, so that one day we can treat it more effectively."

The research is reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Myths And Facts About Breast Cancer

Soy: Good Or Bad?(01 of06)

One of the possible risk factors that is the most controversial in the world of breast cancer are the findings about soy's source of estrogen — which some say can even cause cancer. One thing is certain, the soybean and its derivatives — tofu, soymilk, tempeh (fermented soybeans) — are all interesting alternatives to meat because of their protein content and unsaturated fat levels. But other studies indicate that soybeans are rich in antioxidants known to prevent several cancers, including breast cancer itself. That being said, some studies indicate that it would be safer to consume soy before menopause and women with breast cancer or in remission should reduce soybean consumption or eat in moderation. (credit:Shutterstock)

Should I Avoid Zinc? (02 of06)

A scientific journal published in Advances in Nutrition in 2011, noted the importance of having zinc in your diet to boost the immune system and our DNA make-up. Until more scientific evidence is found, it would still be a good idea to add zinc-related foods to your dish like oysters, clams, butter sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and legumes. (credit:Shutterstock)

Can Vitamin D Prevent Breast Cancer?(03 of06)

Well known for its role in calcium absorption, vitamin D has also been the subject of studies for cancer prevention. In the case of breast cancer, some studies have shown that vitamin D can even prevent it. On the contrary, other studies have not achieved the same results. That said, we also know that the treatment of breast cancer chemotherapy causes a loss of bone density in women pre-menopause. This is more of a reason to ensure an adequate intake of vitamin D, especially from October to March, when sunlight is rare. Try foods like fish, — especially canned with bones, milk, yogurt, vegetable drinks fortified with vitamin D, eggs and shiitake mushrooms. (credit:Shutterstock )

How Much Alcohol Should I Be Drinking?(04 of06)

Several studies have confirmed that women who consume alcohol on a regular basis increase their risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Even one drink a day raises the risk by four per cent. Those who have the habit of drinking three or more drinks a day saw their risk rise to over 40 per cent. That being said, moderation is key for cancer prevention. (credit:Shutterstock)

What's The Risk Of Being Obese And Having Breast Cancer?(05 of06)

Obesity significantly increases the risk of developing breast cancer, particularly in post-menopausal women. Being diagnosed with obesity at the time of breast cancer was associated with poorer survival, the study added. (credit:Shutterstock)

Can Breastfeeding Prevent Cancer? (06 of06)

Nursing can possibly help prevent breast cancer and lower it's risks, according to a report by About.com. On top of this, one 2002 study found that an estimated 25,000 breast cancers would be prevented in developed countries if women had the same number of children but breastfed each child for six months longer, the CBC reports. (credit:Shutterstock)

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