How Missing the Signs of Male Breast Cancer Can Be Fatal

Although it’s rare, it’s possible for men in Tennessee and elsewhere to have breast cancer. Unfortunately, many men are diagnosed with the disease too late. A delayed diagnosis can end up with lethal consequences.

Why Does Male Breast Cancer Often Get Misdiagnosed or Missed?

Unlike female breast cancer, male breast cancer is rare. As a result, a man may have a cancerous lump that may have already spread through other parts of his body. According to a research study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around half of men who have breast cancer only receive a diagnosis of the disease once the cancer has already spread. This opens the door for a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Sadly, this can happen too often. When a late diagnosis is made, it can prove to be fatal for men. In many cases, if male breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate for the disease is around 99 percent. However, this number drops to around 26% when the diagnosis is made late and the cancer has already spread to parts of the body that are farther away.

According to the CDC’s study, around one in 10 cases of all male breast cancer are diagnosed in a late stage. When this happens, it’s usually due to the doctor not searching for breast cancer, which is typically considered a woman’s disease. A medical malpractice lawsuit can be filed when there is a late diagnosis or the cancer is missed altogether.

What Are the Signs of Male Breast Cancer?

The signs of male breast cancer aren’t any different from those in women’s breast cancer. They include the following:

• A painless lump in the breast tissue

• Dimpling of the skin

• Puckering of the skin

• Thickened skin in the breast area

• Redness or scaling

• Ulceration of the breast area

• Nipple discharge

• Nipple retraction

Men are at greater risk of genetic mutations when they have breast cancer, which makes it important to get tested for the breast cancer gene, BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Who Can Help You?

An attorney can help you prepare a malpractice lawsuit if you were harmed by a delayed diagnosis of later-stage male breast cancer. An attorney will ensure that your rights are protected and that you get the compensation you deserve.