Being Born Female
Being born female is the main risk factor for breast cancer. Men don’t have the same complex breast growth and development as women.
Although men can get breast cancer, it’s about 100 times more common in women [40].
For example, in 2019 (most recent data available), the incidence rates (new cases per year) were [40]:
|
Women |
Men |
Incidence rate | 118.8 per 100,000 |
1.1 per 100,000 |
Learn more about breast cancer in men.
Learn about other factors linked to the risk of breast cancer.
Updated 05/16/23