my left nipple has started to itch (the very tip of it). It seems like it may have gotten a little darker. Should I be worried?

Just curious, after the mamogram , what did you find out? I'm currently dealing with the exact same issue, down to a T.

Sandra,

Absolutely, but before you schedule your mammogram I would make a doctor's appointment and have your doctor check it out. We can never be too careful when it comes to watching such symptoms around our breasts. Discoloration and itchiness could be early signs of a serious problem.

However, they could also be small signs of nothing much. Your left nipple could have become irritated for some innocent reason a couple of weeks ago and you just didn't realize it at the time. It might be eczema or contact dermatitis, Candidiasis or another fungal infection. Have you tried putting something very non-irritating on it to see if that helps? Vaseline, for instance?

Are you in menopause, Sandra? Or perimenopause? If so, are you on any hormone replacement therapy?

I am assuming this is the only place on your body that you're experiencing the itching right now? How long has it been going on?

Are you having any scaling or flaking of the skin on the nipple?

I am assuming you are not finding any lumps, right? I am sure you would have mentioned it if you had. No dimpling of the skin?

And does there appear to be anything rash-like around the nipple or areola? No crustiness or discharge?

It might help you to know that even Web MD says that cancer is one of the least common causes for itchy nipples (though it does happen). Here is a forum where women have asked the same question you are asking:

http://boards.webmd.com/webx?THDX@@.8975184d!thdchild=.8975184d

If a doctor is working to rule out Paget Disease (which is just about 3 percent of breast cancers, so it is rare), here is what they are looking for:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/sites-types/paget-breast

The most important thing here is to get checked out. Odds are, this is not serious. Odds are, this is something that is irritating the skin, not the tissue beneath it. However, the best thing is that if it should be something more serious, you are responding right away. You'll have found it early. And there's nothing better than that.

Thank you for your question. Have you changed laundry detergents? Soaps? You may be experiencing an allergy. A new bra? Does any of these things sound possible?

As for the discoloration, is it from itching? What color is it? Please provide us with some more information so we may be able to assist you.