Breast cancer cases are skyrocketing among men who work and live in the Ground Zero area of ​​the World Trade Center, according to US media reports. The federal Centers for Disease Control has reported that 91 men in the 9/11 Health Program have been diagnosed with the fatal cancer so far — six times the number reported in 2018 and 90 times the national average.

Even though breast cancer in men is rare – as only about one in 100,000 men develop the potentially fatal disease, it can still be treated if diagnosed in the early stages.

Male breast cancer grows in the breast tissue in your chest. Even though men’s breasts do not produce milk, they do contain fatty tissue, ducts, and breast cells that can lead to cancer. Cancer develops when cells in these tissues grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor.

According to experts, because it is uncommon, most men do not realize they may have breast cancer, unlike women who get checked regularly. Michael Barash, an attorney for the 54 male breast cancer patients enrolled in WTCHP, said 91 of the 98,590 men at WTCHP have been diagnosed with the disease, according to data compiled by the CDC. “These numbers may be the tip of the iceberg,” Barasch told reporters. “Breast cancer is really increasing rapidly in men.”

More than 50 cancers, diseases and other illnesses are believed to be linked to toxins released into the air by the collapse of the two World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001, after hijacked planes by terrorists crashed into the buildings. Breast cancer is just one of them.

victims deserve compensation

First responders, officer personnel and residents who were present at Ground Zero Zone and developed breast cancer are eligible for a $250,000 award from the government-funded treatment and victim compensation fund if they enroll in the WTC Health Program.

Most of those now diagnosed had spent months transporting smoldering, hazardous materials from the debris of collapsed buildings that were responsible for the life-threatening disease.

What causes breast cancer in men?,

According to experts, uncontrolled cell growth in the breast tissue causes male breast cancer and causes tumors as healthy cells convert into cancer cells. Eventually, the tumor cells also break apart and move to other parts of your body through the lymphatic system and the cancer spreads everywhere.

Some factors that increase the risk of developing breast cancer in men include:

• genetics
• family history
• High levels of estrogen due to obesity, liver disease
• Medication for estrogen including hormone replacement medications
• testicular problems
• radiation therapy
• environmental factors

Male breast cancer symptoms and signs

In addition to noticeable physical changes in your breast tissue, some other signs and symptoms of male breast cancer include:

• a firm, painless lump in your breast tissue, behind your nipple, or in your armpit
• the skin on your chest becomes dimpled or dimpled
• Red, flaky, or scaly skin around your breast nipple
• pain or tenderness in your chest
• clear or bloody nipple discharge

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