They get things done. They’re ambitious go-getters in their careers, and they fix what’s broken around the house. But when it comes to a serious illness, men may be prone to tough it out or even ignore it. Throw in diseases that are typically female ailments, and denial is almost sure to set in.

For example, while it may be unusual, it is possible for men to develop breast cancer.

Unfortunately, because it is so rare, many men think it can’t happen to them and may ignore the symptoms that could lead to early diagnosis and treatment. The same is true

of other conditions more commonly associated with women, including osteoporosis, eating disorders and depression. Yet, knowing the symptoms of these diseases may be a man’s best bet.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer in men tends to spread more quickly and typically affects more lymph nodes than in women, and it’s usually easier to spot. In most cases, male breast cancer is detected early because men don’t have a lot of breast tissue and fat. Breast cancer is seen most often in men age 65 and older.

Symptoms of male breast cancer may include nipple discharge, nipple inversion, a breast lump, occasional local pain, itching and a pulling sensation. Gynecomastia, a breast disorder that appears as a button or disk like growth under the nipple and areola, sometimes masquerades as male breast cancer.

The message to men is the same as for women. If you have an enlargement, don’t ignore it. Though limited, some data suggest certain factors may increase a man’s risk for breast cancer: the genetic disorder Klinefelter’s syndrome, testicular dysfunction, family history, infertility and age.

Osteoporosis

The stereotype for an osteoporosis sufferer is a frail, elderly woman with a fractured hip, but in reality, the disease is an equal-opportunity bone destroyer. By the age of 65, men lose bone mass as fast as women do, and men of 50 to 64 have a greater risk of vertebral fracture than women in the same age group.

Risk factors include age, family history, race and body build, medications such as steroids used to treat asthma or arthritis, alcohol abuse, smoking, eating disorders, inactive lifestyle, poor calcium intake, low testosterone and chronic disease.

Men are evaluated for osteoporosis the same way that women are — with a physical exam and a bone mineral density test. Lack of knowledge on the part of men and physicians is a significant problem, as well as a lack of specific guidelines for dealing with male osteoporosis.

Eating disorders

It may not be a headline-grabber, but men do suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating. While male and female risk factors for eating disorders are similar, men tend to develop bulimia at an older age than women do and have a history of obesity. Men are also more likely to suffer from binge eating disorders than anorexia. As in women, poor self-worth is a major characteristic of male eating disorders.

Depression

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 6 million men experience depression, an illness characterised by biochemical changes in the brain. The biggest factors that cause depression in men is severe psychosocial stress, such as job loss, divorce or losing a close friend or relative. Depression runs in families and is genetically transmitted in some; research also suggests a correlation between depression and low testosterone levels.

While men and women exhibit similar symptoms of depression, men have distinct traits and ways

of coping with the illness. They tend to push away feelings and fight depression with alcohol or drug use, working extra long hours and engaging in unhealthy behaviours such as gambling.

Menopause

If the man in your life wants to turn on the air conditioner in December he could be menopausal. Many health experts now agree that men, like women, experience a litany of distinct “transitional” physical and mental changes due to a reduction of hormones such as testosterone, DHEA (dihydroepiandrosterone), prolactin, growth hormone and insulin growth factor-1. Male menopause typically appears gradually between ages 45 and 60. Symptoms include lethargy, depression, irritability, mood swings, insomnia, decreased libido, weakness and difficulty attaining and maintaining erections. — Sally J Clasen