“The term “breast cancer” refers to a malignant tumor that develops from breast cells” (Breast Cancer, nd). What society doesn't realize is that men have breasts. While men may experience abnormal cell growth in the breast, they are also likely to get breast cancer. Men need to be aware of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of male breast cancer. Society links breast cancer to women, but what about men in our society? Men have breast tissue. Boys' and men's bodies don't normally produce a lot of breast-stimulating hormones. As a result, their breast tissue usually remains flat and small (Breast Cancer, 2008). Men usually have clumps of fatty breast tissue, but a small percentage may have true mammary gland tissue associated with taking certain medications or abnormal hormone levels (Breast Cancer, 2008). Studies have shown that breast cancer in men increased over 25 years, from 1973 to 1988 (American Cancer Society, 2008). In 2005, a total of 1,690 cases of male breast cancer were reported (Breast Cancer, 2008). Male breast cancer is rare, but diagnoses are increasing each year (Giordano, 2004). As diagnoses increase each year, how many men are informed about breast cancer awareness and survival? Most awareness and survival rates fall on women in today's society. According to a demographic study, the survival rate for men under 65 with breast cancer is 75%. As the male body ages, the survival rate decreases to approximately 50% (Giordano, 2004). Instead of becoming a statistic of male breast cancer, men need to be aware of the risk factors that lead to breast cancer. Men aware of risk factors can omit or protect ...... middle of paper ...... M.,. (2005). Analgesic effectiveness of diclofenac in combination with morphine and paracetamol after mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, 49 (9), 1360-1366. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from Academic Search Premier database. Male breast cancer (2010). Accessed May 27, 2010 from http://www.breastcancer.org.National Breast Cancer Foundation., (nd). Early detection plan., Accessed May 27, 2010, from http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org.National Cancer Institute, (2007)., Risk factors for male breast cancer, The Consumers Medical Journal., 2007, issue 98, p8. Retrieved May 28, 2010 from Masterfile Premier Database.