Breasts like a woman’s

I am a 60-year-old retired civil servant. I noticed that in the last few years my breasts have been growing bigger. They are now almost as big as those of a woman. I am worried. Please help.

Maxwell (by SMS)

Gynecomastia is the swelling of the breast tissue in boys or men, caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. … Newborns, boys going through puberty and older men may develop gynecomastia as a result of normal changes in hormone levels, though other causes also exist. Aging with hormone changes that occur during this period is the commonest cause of your complaint, especially if you are overweight. The condition can also be caused by other health conditions that range from drug reactions to underlying tumors. Excessive consumption  of alcohol as well as the use of ‘street drugs’ such as marijuana, steroids, heroin and amphetamines can also cause the problem. A medical check-up that will include laboratory investigations is highly recommended to get to the root of the development.