ABSTRACT
The diagnosis of male breast cancer (MBC) is based upon triple assessment. Mastectomy has been the standard procedure for operable MBC but selected cases can be treated by breast-conserving surgery. Fear of medical contact by males can cause delay in diagnosis and hence worsening of prognosis in male breast cancer. Clinical evaluation of men with breast cancer symptoms is similar to that in females, but men may not need all the usual components of assessment. Always remember that the man in question may feel very uncomfortable being in a ‘female' clinic environment, while, at the same time, all the other patients will think it strange for a man to be present. Male breast examination should mirror that carried out in females, but in addition the testes should always be examined for signs of atrophy or tumour. Any nipple discharge should be tested for the presence of occult blood and for cytology.
