Itchy breasts sign of cancer?

[CancerkickerKathy]

The other day someone said itchy breasts can be a warning sign of breast cancer. Can anyone confirm this or point me where to find more info? Me I'm always itchy. Both before and after cancer.

[ToryH]

I would definitely encourage you to speak to your doctor. Itching/ swelling can be a sign of a not so common type of cancer- Inflammatory breast cancer.

[quilting66]

It can also be a sign of benign growth. Fibroid adenoma. I had 2 surgeries for removal of a benign growth 20 and 30 years ago with itchiness before my recent stage 1 diagnosis. The surgeon said the development into BC was very rare. Yes, check it out. I never connected the dots (if there are any.)

[Dimsdale18 Partner]

An itchy breast can be one of the symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Usually the itch feels like it's deep down. Other signs would be a rapid increase in one breast, redness or rash and pain. Like all breast cancers, everyone's experience can be quite different. If you are experiencing these symptoms, call your healthcare provider. You know your body better than anyone so be your own advocate.

[Pixiemycat]

All I can say is that I had breast pain and made the mistake of googling that leading me to believe it was most likely not breast cancer. Had I looked more intensely I would have realized that is not true. There is zero cancer in my family going back generations. I had thought it was a pesky breast cyst that I had had before many times. I was wrong and once I felt it in the middle of COVID lock downs I realized this felt different. Because of the COVID lock downs and my own ignorance of not listening to myself I delayed a diagnosis of TNBC and was now a stage 2 with no node involvement. If I had listen to my intuition and not my over analytical mind I would have gone to the doctor in Febuary and not May and maybe I would have been stage one. Would that have mattered for my treatment and outcome? Maybe not and I try not to beat myself up about it, but now I am politely aggressive towards my health calling back when I do not get a call and pushed my treatment forward in the time of COVID by setting up my own appointments and not waiting for anyone to "get back to me" That caused week delays in getting an initial mammogram.

[CancerkickerKathy]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have been trying to do a post a day related to breast cancer on my fb group page. Some guy told me it wasn't true. I did research more and found out yes it is true. It doesn't mean every itch is cancer. But it is a warning sign for some. I am always open to new info. But not without something to back it up.

[Dimsdale18 Partner in reply to CancerkickerKathy]

Please share with your group our free services offered by SHARE Cancer Support. All volunteers that work the Helpline have had breast cancer and in addition we have. peer matching service so you can be matched up with someone who went through your type of breast cancer, treatment, meds etc. We also offer support groups and educational programs. Please visit our website sharecancersupport.org or call out Helpline 844-ASK-SHARE 844-275-7427. You can also have people reach out to me as I am the breast cancer helpline manager.

Thanks!!

Dale

[CancerkickerKathy in reply to Dimsdale18]

Thank you

[Curbs]

After Her2 breast cancer in my left breast 8 years ago and a left mastectomy I started with an incredible it around my sternum two years ago, it was an itch I couldn’t scratch but was driving me mad. October this year I have been told my cancer has returned in my bone in my sternum, I have been going to my breast clinic and a skin specialist for over a year, I definitely think the itching should have rung alarm bells for the doctors!

[CancerkickerKathy in reply to Curbs]

I'm so sorry to hear cancer has hit you again. I think sometimes symptoms get shrugged off. I also hear two different things from doctors and then one will say that I must have heard the other wrong or I misunderstood them. 🤦🤦🤦