Symptoms prior to diagnosis

I did NOT have any symptons and still don't... If I hadn't found the lump I never would have known I had cancer.

What kind of cancer did you have?  Have you only had a lumpectomy and not a mastectomy?

Actually I have read that unexplained itching is sometimes a forewarning of cancer and my DH (an MD of the old school was taught that in med school). I had weird itchy skin for a few years prior to IDC early stage BC. I really thought I was allergic to something in toilet paper as that "area" itched like crazy. Stopped itching as soon as I began treatment for breast cancer and has not come back in spite of very dry skin sue to Arimidex and or Tamoixifen. Just saying......

Purely anecdotal but...

Localized itching as a harbinger of breast cancer?

Journal of Family Practice, July, 2004 by Josette McMichael

12Next

A 34-year-old, previously healthy nurse whose mother and maternal aunt had breast cancer presented in January 2003 complaining of itching of her left areola and the area just lateral to it at the 3 o'clock position. The itching had begun 6 months ago, stopped, and recurred. She reported no other symptoms.

Examination yielded normal findings without skin changes, palpable masses, or lymphadenopathy. She was treated with hydrocortisone 1% cream and was asked to return in 2 to 3 weeks to discuss further evaluation if the itching had not resolved. At the time, she was working overseas as a humanitarian aid worker and unable to get a mammogram or other evaluation without leaving the country. She did not return for a follow-up visit, though the itching continued intermittently.

About 2 months later, the patient discovered on self-examination a mass in the left breast lateral to the areola at the 9 o'clock position. She was due to go home to the United States in 2 months and deferred evaluation. In the meantime the breast mass doubled in size. Upon returning home, she had a mammogram (negative finding) followed by ultrasound and a needle biopsy. Pathology examination revealed a 1.8-cm mass positive for ductal carcinoma with local micrometastasis. Results of node biopsies were negative. There was no evidence of Paget's disease.

Since her diagnosis, both her mother and sister have tested positive for the BRCA gene. The patient herself declined testing. Initially, the patient underwent lumpectomy followed by chemotherapy. After her lumpectomy, the itching resolved. After counseling concerning the BRCA gene and cancer risk, she elected to undergo bilateral mastectomies in October.

Could itching be a warning sign of possible cancer, especially in a patient at high risk? Pruritis has been well described as a presenting symptom of Paget's disease of the breast, malignant nevi, and of other cancers. (1-3) Itching may be localized to the area of cancer or more generalized. (2,3) Both itching and pain involve activation of a peripheral group of C nerve fibers, and itching can originate anywhere along the afferent neural path. I hypothesize that this patient's itching was caused by nerve fibers in the breast being affected by the growth of the breast mass.

Could itching be the presenting symptom of other types of breast cancer as well? Have you observed this phenomenon? If there is indeed a connection between such itching and breast cancer, would a more aggressive evaluation of unexplained itching lead to earlier diagnoses and decreased morbidity and mortality from cancer?

Let me know if you have also seen this in your practice.

I had itching in my breast occasionly...I say "in" because it felt like the itch came from the inside of my breast and scratching on the outside didn't help. I also felt very tired alot but figured it was due to getting older. Don't know if these are actually symptoms of cancer, though I sometimes wonder....

Itching in or on a breast can be an indication of IBC as well. But say a itching leg? Nope.

I agree about the heavy metal poisoning too! Of course! I knew of a great stain glass artist that developed cancer due to the metals she had to use for her craft.

OOoooh, as a Canadian, I can say that the $1.50 makes me feel like $1.59!!! (For so many years we've been less than the US dollar, it's been nice to be higher for a while).

My only "symptom" just prior to my diagnosis was extreme fatigue (I was 44).   I didn't know why I was so tired all the time.

I had no symptoms prior to my diagnosis.  Went for annual mamogram and mass was found.  Had extreme generalized itching following my axillary node disection, called surgeon and thought I was allergic to pain meds, the next day I was as yellow as a banana.  My liver enzymes had gone to 8 times normal.  They determined I had acute hepatitis from anesthesia, fortunately this resolved over several weeks.  I can hardly wait to have surgery again.   I used to feel like a million  bucks too, this week a nickel, up from a penny last week.

Well, I say that I feel better AFTER cancer than I did before.  Diagnosed at 39.  I feel like the vitamin D was huge:  I was 17 at diagnosis, and even after a year of 5,000 IU still only at 49.  I had joint pain, chronic bad sleep and always tired.  I have always thought I might have had what some naturopaths refer to as estrogen dominance.  My body was always on a period rollercoaster.  I'm so sad to be in menopause so young, but I didn't realize what a slave my body was to the hormone cycle.

no symptoms whatsoever

Hi Christine,

I know naturopaths and even some forward-thinking oncologists think 60 - 90 offers protective benefit.  I was on 50,000 for a few months, then my naturopath put me on 5,000 IU a day.  I'm climing a wee bit every test, but it's a long road!  I started D supplementation upon diagnosis last summer.

From what I understand, the diet isn't where you get the benefit.  And it seems like some people don't absorb from outdoor exposure, especially at the northern latitudes!