Men With Larger Breasts Face Higher Breast Cancer Risk – Expert

• Apr 12, 2025

Men with larger breasts may face a higher risk of developing breast cancer, according to Dr. Uche Nwokwu, Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. He shared this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday.

Dr. Nwokwu explained that although breast cancer is rare in men, it can still occur because men also have breast tissue. He said the risk increases when there is an imbalance between oestrogen and testosterone hormones. “The hormone that women have that makes their breasts develop is also present in men,” he noted. “Testosterone, which is higher in men, usually suppresses that hormone. But when there's an imbalance, the hormone that becomes dominant starts to show its effects.”

This imbalance, particularly when oestrogen becomes dominant, can lead to a condition called gynecomastia — the enlargement of male breast tissue. Dr. Nwokwu warned that this condition could raise the chances of developing breast cancer.

He also pointed out that men undergoing hormone therapy to appear more feminine face an even greater risk. “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.

Dr. Nwokwu emphasized that although breast cancer is more common in women due to their developed breast tissue and cell ducts, men are not immune. “Men with larger breasts have a higher risk than those with average breast size, but no man is completely exempt,” he stated.

Genetics also plays a big role. According to Dr. Nwokwu, individuals from families with a history of breast cancer should be extra cautious, as even minor environmental triggers can increase their risk.

Despite the potential threat, breast cancer in men often goes unnoticed until a proper diagnosis is made. Dr. Nwokwu noted that low awareness and the lack of data on male breast cancer cases remain a challenge in Nigeria. To address this, the Federal Government has listed cancer as a reportable disease to improve data collection.

Efforts are also ongoing to strengthen diagnostic services nationwide. Dr. Nwokwu advised men to regularly check for lumps or unusual growths in their breast area and to ensure any abnormality is properly examined. “Tissue samples should be taken for laboratory diagnosis,” he added.