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. 2014 Apr 2;110(7):1891-7.
doi: 10.1038/bjc.2014.66. Epub 2014 Feb 11.

Breast cancer: trends in international incidence in men and women

E Kreiter  1 , A Richardson  2 , J Potter  3 , Y Yasui  1
Affiliations

Breast cancer: trends in international incidence in men and women

E Kreiter et al. Br J Cancer. .

Abstract

Background: The age-standardised incidence of breast cancer varies geographically, with rates in the highest-risk countries more than five times those in the lowest-risk countries.

Methods: We investigated the correlation between male (MBC) and female breast cancer (FBC) incidence stratified by female age-group (<50 years, and ≥50 years) and used Poisson regression to examine male incidence rate ratios according to female incidence rates.

Results: Age-adjusted breast cancer incidence rates for males and females share a similar geographic distribution (Spearman's correlation=0.51; P<0.0001). A correlation with male incidence rates was found for the entire female population and for women aged 50 years and over. Breast cancer incidence rates in males aged <50 years were not associated with FBC incidence, whereas those in males aged 50 years were. MBC incidence displays a small 'hook' similar to the Clemmesen's hook for FBC, but at a later age than the female hook.

Interpretation: Further investigation of possible explanations for these patterns is warranted. Although the incidence of breast cancer is much lower in men than in women, it may be possible to identify a cause common to both men and women.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Male and female age-adjusted breast cancer rates by population. Spearman's correlation=0.51; P<0.0001.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Incidence rate ratios for male breast cancer (under 50 years) in relation to female breast cancer incidence per 100 000 woman-years.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Incidence rate ratios for male breast cancer (50+ years) in relation to female breast cancer incidence per 100 000 woman-years.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Male and female breast cancer incidence rate ratios by age. Male o o o o, Female x x x x.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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