Hello,
I have a family history of breast cancer. Recently my right nipple has been very itchy. So bad that I have had to excuse myself at times to pinch and twist it very had to get it to stop. I don't want to go to the doctor and tell her that is my main reason for my visit. Is this something that I should be worried about? The breast itself has become heavy. I don't have a period anymore since I have had a partical hysto. Please help me! Thanks
Dee, don't be embarrassed to advocate for yourself! With your family history, it's good that you're aware of breast changes. Itchiness CAN be a sign of two different kinds of breast cancer - inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), and Paget's disease. IBC is also characterized by swelling, redness, heat, and pain; it seems like an infection, which is why it's often misdiagnosed. So go ahead and call for an appointment. No sense being uncomfortable, and you need to figure out what's going on. Good luck - PJH
Dee, I had a similar experience. I was in a new city and thought that if my first visit to a new doctor was to complain about breast itching that he'd think I was a hypochondriac. After about a month of increasing discomfort and tenderness on the right side, I finally went in. The doctor referred me for a mammogram and ultrasound. In the next couple of weeks, my symptoms progressed to redness and swelling and the eventual diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer. Two years later I had similar symptoms on the left side and went in when it lasted longer than a couple of weeks. That time it turned out to be nothing serious. In fact, we were never sure what it was, but it went away, so we knew it wasn't cancer. As PJ mentions intense itching can be a symptom of two kinds of breast cancer, and it can be just a nuisance that is not health threatening. Please don't let embarrassment keep you from finding out for sure what is causing your problem.
My mom's best friend had the same problem. she had mammograms and all was fine. Now she has breast cancer so advanced that is it in her bones and lymph nodes. I don't want to scare you, but I DO want to scare you into going to the doctor and pursuing this....you are your only healthcare advocate. BE PERSISTANT.
My mom's best friend had the same problem. she had mammograms and all was fine. Now she has breast cancer so advanced that is it in her bones and lymph nodes. I don't want to scare you, but I DO want to scare you into going to the doctor and pursuing this....you are your only healthcare advocate. BE PERSISTANT.
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