A 54-year-old man comes to the clinic with a "horrible problem." He tells the nurse that he has just discovered a lump on his breast and is fearful of cancer. The nurse knows which statement about breast cancer in men is true?

A) Breast cancer in men rarely spreads to the lymph nodes.
B) Less than one percent of all breast cancers occurs in men.
C) Most breast masses in men are diagnosed as gynecomastia.
D) Breast masses in men are difficult to detect because of minimal breast tissue.

Less than one percent of all breast cancers occur in men. The early spreading to axillary lymph nodes is attributable to minimal breast tissue. Breast cancer in men often spreads to the axillary lymph nodes because of the minimal breast tissue in men. Breast masses in men are not typically diagnosed as gynecomastia or more difficult to detect, but they are diagnosed 10 years later than women because of lack of screening and general awareness. The correct option is that less than one percent of all breast cancers occur in men.