Are itchy breasts ever a symptom of cancer?

The skin on your breasts may itch for many different reasons. It could be because you’re allergic to a new laundry detergent. Or your skin might just be really dry and need some lotion.

But can itchy breasts ever be a sign of breast cancer? Here’s what you need to know.

Why is one of my breasts so itchy?

The good news is that most itchy breast skin has nothing to do with cancer. Here are some of the most common reasons you might be experiencing it.

• Allergic reaction: This could be due to any product that comes in contact with your skin, including bar soaps, lotions and laundry detergents. It can be treated with antihistamines or steroids.
• Dermatitis: This is an irritation of the skin that could be due to friction or chafing. It can be treated with ointments and by removing the source of irritation.
• Dry skin: This is the most common cause of itchy skin. It can be treated with moisturizers.
• Eczema: This is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause intense itching. It can be treated with medicated ointments.
• Mastitis: This is when a milk duct becomes plugged and infected during breastfeeding. It can be treated with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.
• Yeast infection: This usually occurs on the underside of the breast, particularly after intense sweating. It can be treated with an antifungal cream.

Hormonal shifts during pregnancy — or even the week before your period — can also make your breasts feel sensitive and itchy. This is caused by significant spikes or drops (respectively) in your estrogen levels.

Is it considered more serious when one or both breasts are itching?

I would say it’s more concerning if the itching is one-sided. But I have seen cases in which someone had a yeast infection beneath one breast and not the other. Still, itching is not a common way for breast cancer to present itself. It’s much more likely to be caused by something else.

Are any types of breast cancer associated with itching?

Paget disease

Paget disease is usually the first suspect doctors think of when a patient reports an itchy nipple. That’s because it typically appears as a crusting or scaling of the nipple, which sometimes extends to the areola. It often looks like the rash caused by eczema, so diagnosis is frequently delayed.

Inflammatory breast cancer

Redness and a thickening or tightening of the breast skin are just some of the hallmark symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer. All of those changes can cause itching. But both of these diseases are very rare.

What does breast cancer itching feel like?

There’s no one typical way that patients describe it. The only thing I ever hear consistently is from women who have had mastectomies followed by breast reconstruction. Sometimes, they feel an intense itching so deep inside the breast that scratching the surface doesn’t help at all. Since there can be a lot of scarring after a major surgery, that makes sense. Scar tissue often itches as it heals.

When should I worry about itchy breasts?

If the itching persists beyond two weeks without any improvement, see a doctor to get a thorough evaluation. A rash on your breast is always worth investigating, just because of its association with inflammatory breast cancer.

But again, most cases of itchy breasts have nothing to do with cancer. So, if you get regular mammograms and discuss any worrisome changes you might notice in your breasts with your doctor quickly, we should be able to catch cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.

Oluchi Oke, M.D., is a breast medical oncologist at UT MD Anderson.

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