What Might Be the Reason for Numbness in My Left Breast?

When someone has breast cancer or is treated for it, nerves in the breast area can sometimes get hurt. For example, if you have surgery such as a mastectomy, some nerves might be cut or damaged, which can lead to numbness. This change in feeling is common because the nerves that help you sense touch might not work as well after surgery. Also, some medicines used for treating breast cancer, called chemotherapy drugs, can affect nerves elsewhere in the body, causing what we call chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. This means your brain might not receive the usual signals from the breast area. In some cases, the cancer itself might affect the nerves near it, leading to a loss of sensation. It is important to speak with your doctor about any unusual feelings or changes. They can check your health, review your treatments, and help decide if the numbness is related to treatment changes or something else. Understanding the cause can help guide any necessary steps to make you feel better.