The short explanation
Yes, men can get breast cancer, although it is much less common than in women. A lump under the nipple in an older man is most often gynaecomastia, an enlargement of breast tissue that can come with age, weight change, liver or kidney problems, or some medicines. But because breast cancer is one possible cause, a lump like this should be examined. In men, breast cancer usually appears as a painless lump under or near the nipple, sometimes with nipple turning in, discharge, or skin changes.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- A doctor will ask about medicines, alcohol, other health problems and family history of breast, ovarian or prostate cancer. An ultrasound and sometimes a mammogram can be done for men too, and a needle test if needed.
- Many men feel embarrassed, thinking of this as a women's problem. It may help to tell him this is a routine check that surgeons do for men regularly, to offer to go with him, and to start with a family physician or a general surgeon.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you what the lump is. Only an examination and tests can do that.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Could this be gynaecomastia, and what might be causing it?
- Does he need an ultrasound or mammogram?
- Could any of his medicines be involved?
- What follow-up does he need?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Book an appointment soon
- Help him see a clinician within a couple of weeks, sooner if the lump is growing, the nipple has changed, or there is discharge.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Bring a list of his medicines and any recent blood reports to the visit.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Breast cancer MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Breast lump NHS
- Breast diseases MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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