The treatment you have depends on the type of cancer you have, what stage your cancer’s at, your overall health and your personal wishes. You might need one or a combination of different treatments, including:
Surgery is the most common treatment for men with breast cancer. Usually, your surgeon will recommend your whole breast is removed. This is called a mastectomy. Because there’s not much breast tissue in men, it’s usually difficult to leave any behind after removing the cancer. If the muscle beneath your breast is close to the cancer, you might need part of that removed too.
If you have invasive breast cancer, your surgeon might remove some of the lymph nodes from your armpit and get them tested for cancer cells.
It’s not usual for men to have breast reconstruction after surgery because there aren’t currently any implants that recreate the shape of male breasts.
After surgery, you may need radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or a combination to cut the risk of the cancer cells growing back. It’s fairly uncommon to need these treatments before surgery, although some men might need chemotherapy or hormone therapy to shrink the cancer first.
Paying for your treatment
You have two options to pay for your treatment – your costs may be covered by your private medical insurance, or you can pay for yourself.
Check with your private medical insurer to see if your diagnostic costs are covered under your medical insurance policy.
If you are paying for your own treatment the cost of the procedure will be explained and confirmed in writing when you book the operation.
Ask the hospital for a quote beforehand, and ensure that this includes the consultants’ fees and the hospital charge for your procedure.
Want to know more?
If you’d like to read more about male breast cancer, treatment or living with breast cancer, please visit cancerresearchuk.org.uk. Also, please read our section on Breast Cancer for more detailed information on breast cancer and treatment options.