Men with larger breast tissue have been identified as having a higher risk of developing breast cancer, a health expert has revealed.
Dr. Uche Nwokwu, Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), shared this in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Saturday.
According to the NCCP official, breast cancer is not exclusive to women.
He explained that men also have breast tissue, which makes them susceptible to the disease, though it remains rare.
He added that this medical reality is often overlooked, which puts many men at risk.
“The hormone that women have that makes their breasts develop is also present in men,” Nwokwu stated.
“The difference is that testosterone, which is higher in men, suppresses that hormone; so, when there’s an imbalance between the two, whichever is higher tends to manifest more.”
He further explained that when estrogen levels become dominant in men, it can lead to gynecomastia.
This condition, which is the enlargement of male breast tissue, increases the chances of developing breast cancer.
Moreover, he said, “Once there’s a fluctuation that disrupts the body’s ability to regulate the cell ducts, it can trigger breast cancer.”
Dr. Nwokwu emphasized that although breast cancer in men is rare, it does exist in Nigeria.
He highlighted the need for increased awareness to help people understand that men are not entirely exempted from this health threat.
“Anything that lowers male hormones, whether due to sickness or environmental factors, can cause an increase in female hormones,” he noted.
“That imbalance can result in gynecomastia and, by extension, raise the risk of breast cancer.”
He also pointed out that genetics play a crucial role in breast cancer development.
Men with a family history of the disease should be especially alert, as even slight environmental triggers could push them into the high-risk category.
In addition, he warned that hormone therapies often used by men transitioning to a feminine body structure significantly raise the risk of breast cancer.
“When men take hormone therapies to alter their physiology, the more active female hormones can expose them to a higher risk of breast cancer,” he said.
“breast cancer in men” was emphasized as Dr. Nwokwu revealed that data on such cases in Nigeria remains low, not because the cases don’t exist, but because they often go unnoticed or are diagnosed too late.
He admitted that this was partly due to poor awareness and delayed recognition of symptoms.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has now classified cancer as a reportable disease.
According to Dr. Nwokwu, this step is part of efforts to gather better data and enhance cancer diagnosis across the country.
He stated, “Any abnormal growth should be properly investigated. Tissue samples should be taken for laboratory diagnosis.”
To avoid the rise in breast cancer in men, the NCCP Coordinator advised that men should regularly check their bodies for any signs of unusual growth, especially around the breast area.
Furthermore, Dr. Nwokwu encouraged Nigerians, especially men, to seek medical help whenever they notice anything strange in their bodies.
Early detection, he stressed, is still the most effective way to combat cancer.
