CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Breast cancer is typically thought of as a disease that affects women, but everyone is born with some breast tissue, which means men can be at risk for the disease, too, although it is rare. Dr. Frank Vento is a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina who specializes in breast cancer radiology and said less than one percent of all breast cancers diagnosed in a year in the U.S. happen to a man; however, he said these cancers are very aggressive. For now, mortality in male breast cancer is worse than female mortality because many times a diagnosis happens much later, or not at all. So, while the chances of contracting it are much lower, it is still something males should stay vigilant about. Symptoms can look like lumpy or swollen breasts or redness and irritation of the breast area. Dr. Vento says risk factors include age, family history, and lack of knowledge of the disease. "I think number one, just having the awareness that it's out there,” said Dr. Vento. “There is a little bit of a stigma right now, especially when men come into the clinic and they have some kind of palpable abnormality in the breast, there is kind of the stigma like, ‘hey, I can't develop breast cancer, that is a female disease…’ and while it is rare in men, we definitely see it.” He went on to say, “The other thing to worry about in terms of risk factors is environmental exposures. Here in the Lowcountry, we have a lot of people who work as mechanics in the aviation industry, the car industry, the transportation industry, as well as engineers, so they are being exposed to something called hydrocarbons in the air, and that is something that affects essentially our androgen metabolism in the body, and over time that can lead to breast cancer." If you notice any changes, small or large, Dr. Vento says it’s always best to consult your doctor. When breast cancer is caught early, he said there is a variety of treatment options, many of which are very effective. Click here to learn more about breast cancer risks, find valuable resources, or book an appointment.