Men with unusual physical characteristic warned it could be sign of early death

04 February 2024 , 08:00

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Men who have a particular physical characteristic on their chest are being warned it could be a sign of an early death, scientists have said.

If a man has enlarged breast tissue - which some may refer to as 'man boobs' - they could be at greater risk of dying before the age of 75. This condition is called gynaecomastia and there are a number of signs men should look out for to prevent this.

The condition is caused by enlarged breast tissue that is usually caused by a hormone imbalance and affects around a third to around two-thirds of males, depending on age.

It is important to note that this condition is different to pseudo gynaecomastia, which is the result of being overweight or obese. A study from scientists at the University of Copenhagen has found that men with gynaecomastia have a 37 per cent increased risk of early death from any cause compared to those without the condition.

Doctor Anders Juul, from the university team, said in a press release: "Males diagnosed with gynaecomastia are at higher risk of death, observed mainly in males with a known pre-existing risk factor of gynaecomastia. These findings will hopefully stimulate more awareness among healthcare providers to potentially apply interventions that aid in alleviating underlying risk factors in males with this condition."

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Men with a known pre-existing condition are 75 per cent more likely to develop the condition compared to men who do not. The greatest risks are associated with pre-existing cancers, as well as circulatory, lung, and diseases that affect the gut. However, the study found that neurological diseases were linked to a 29 per cent lower risk.

The main causes of gynaecomastia are hormone imbalance and obesity. It can appear in newborn baby boys when oestrogen passes through the placenta from the mother to the baby - but this is temporary and can disappear after a few weeks.

Men with a known pre-existing condition are 75 per cent more likely to develop the condition (Getty Images)

During puberty, some boys may develop more breast tissue if testosterone drops and oestrogen increases. Again, this usually clears up when they get older and their hormone levels become more stable.

Also as men age they produce less testosterone, and if they have more body fat it can cause more oestrogen to be produced.

Other rare causes of gynaecomastia include:

side effects of medicine – such as anti-ulcer drugs or medicine for heart disease
illegal drugs – such as cannabis or anabolic steroids
alcohol misuse
a health condition – such as kidney failure or liver disease
Klinefelter syndrome (a rare genetic disorder)
lumps or infections in the testicles

If you think you have the condition or you are worried about breast tissue growth - then contact your GP for treatment.

Treatment options include

medication to adjust a hormone imbalance
surgery to remove the excess breast tissue

Male breast reduction surgery is not usually available on the NHS for the treatment of gynaecomastia. The procedure is available at private hospitals and clinics. Read more about male breast reduction surgery.

Always see a GP if the area is very painful or there's an obvious lump. Sometimes, the lump may need to be removed. Gynaecomastia isn't related to breast cancer, but you should see a GP if you're worried about breast swelling.

Treatment options include