Some of the risk factors for male breast cancer include: Family history of breast cancer– you have a higher chance of developing breast cancer if you have a close family member who has, or has had, breast cancer. Age– most male breast cancer diagnoses happen after 50 and are most commonly between age 60 - 70. It is usually rare for a man to get breast cancer under the age of 35. Radiation therapy treatment– having a history of radiation therapy to the chest can increase the risk of breast cancer.