Symptoms of breast cancer

Can itching be a sign of breast cancer?

Itching is not usually a sign of breast cancer. It is more often caused by other conditions that can affect the breast such as eczema or mastitis (inflammation of the breast).

Paget’s disease of the breast

Paget's disease is a rare skin condition that can cause itching.

This condition develops in the nipple or the darker area of skin around it (the areola). It usually first appears as a red, scaly rash of the skin that may look like eczema. There might also be some discharge or bleeding from the nipple.

With Paget’s disease, there might be breast cancer in the tissues behind the nipple. Or there might be carcinoma in situ. This means that there are cancer cells but they are completely contained within the lining of the breast ducts. It is possible for someone to have Paget’s disease of the breast without having cancer but this is less common.

Find out about Paget's disease of the breast

Inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type of breast cancer that can cause skin changes in your breast. With this type of cancer, the breast or part of the breast can become red, inflamed, painful and swollen. It can also cause itching of the breast.

Find out about inflammatory breast cancer

When to see your doctor

If you have a patch of itching skin, it is more likely to be eczema or some other type of skin condition. But it is important to get anything that is not normal for you checked out by your GP as soon as possible.

Find out more about the possible symptoms of breast cancer

Last reviewed: 16 Apr 2026

Next review due: 16 Apr 2029

Symptoms of breast cancer

Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast or changes in the size, shape or feel of your breast. See your GP if you have any of these symptoms or any other symptoms of breast cancer.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the breast tissue. It’s the most common cancer in the UK. It mainly affects women, but men can get it too.

Inflammatory breast cancer

This is a rare type of breast cancer. Your breast might look swollen and red (inflamed) and may feel warm.

Paget's disease of the breast

Paget's disease is a rare skin condition of the nipple. There might be breast cancer in the tissues behind the nipple. It is possible to have Paget’s disease of the breast without having cancer, but this is less common.

Getting diagnosed with breast cancer

You usually start by seeing your GP. Your GP will examine you and may refer you to a specialist breast clinic. Or you may have had breast changes picked up through breast screening.