Chronically itchy nipple...Dx'd with PASH in 2020
Hi, all-
Just a brief history: I am a 50 year old post-menopausal woman with dense breasts and a family history of BC. In 2020, my annual mammogram revealed a small cluster of calcifications in my right breast, after which time I underwent a stereotactic needle biopsy. The results were benign showing columnar cell changes and PASH cells. No further treatment was needed. I did have a rather large hematoma from the biopsy that required follow-up, but that did eventually resolve.
In July of 2023, I started noticing that my right nipple was itching..no visible rash or skin changes, just itching. I had a mammogram in August and mentioned it at that time, but everything was normal. The itching continued off and on for months, and I followed up with my breast specialist in January of 2024. I eventually had a breast ultrasound and MRI, but all were negative. It's now over a year and a half later since the onset of the itching, and I am still experiencing it on a daily basis. I've tried changing laundry detergent, using steroid creams…you name it, nothing seems to impact it.
My mom is a 2 time breast cancer survivor and did have Paget's Disease, but unlike her experience, I have no rash…the nipple doesn't look different at all. It is just the right one, which is the one that I had biopsied, and I'm starting to wonder if maybe there was some sort of nerve damage from the biopsy. Has anyone experienced anything like this?! I'm starting to think it is just something I'm going to live with forever. Curious to hear from others. I did start menopause right around the onset of the itching, but I keep thinking that if it were hormonal, wouldn't it be bilateral?
BTW, I have not had any irregular imaging since the biopsy in 2020…everything is totally normal, except for the chronic itching that is starting to make me a little crazy! Thanks in advance for any thoughts, experiences, etc.