Maria Schenkel, a 41-year-old mother of two, initially dismissed a noticeable change in her body odor as a consequence of her busy lifestyle. She had just showered, yet found herself smelling unpleasant almost immediately afterward. This pattern continued for several weeks, but she attributed it to the demands of her work and family life.
Months later, after discovering a lump in her breast, Schenkel sought medical attention. Doctors diagnosed her with a 4-centimeter cancerous tumor, a form of invasive ductal carcinoma, which they indicated had been present for some time. She has since undergone a mastectomy and is cancer-free two years later. Schenkel expressed regret for not taking the changes in her body odor more seriously earlier, stating, "I wish I knew then what I know now."
Experts suggest that persistent and unexplained alterations in body odor can signal the presence of a growing tumor. According to Dr. John Riches, a consultant hematologist, cancer cells can release compounds into the bloodstream, which are then excreted through the body's sweat and breath, leading to a change in odor. He noted that it is uncommon for individuals to be able to detect these changes themselves.
Research indicates that rapidly growing cancer cells release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are excreted through the skin, breath, urine, and stool. Ongoing studies are exploring the potential of measuring VOCs to identify early-stage cancers. Some emerging research suggests that analyzing urine and breath samples can detect early tumors in gastrointestinal, liver, and prostate cancers. Investigations are also underway to examine VOCs released by common breast tumors.
In addition to the change in body odor, Schenkel experienced other symptoms that she initially overlooked. These included extreme fatigue, an intense craving for sugary foods, regular bloating, and unexplained bruising on her legs. She attributed her exhaustion to simply turning 40. The discovery of the lump occurred when her young daughter accidentally pressed on her breast, causing soreness and revealing a slightly firmer area of tissue. Although she initially believed it to be dense breast tissue, she decided to have it checked.
Her diagnosis came as a shock, as she maintained a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a plant-based diet, and abstaining from smoking and drinking, with no family history of cancer. Approximately 322,000 American women are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, making it the most common cancer among women in the U.S., excluding skin cancers. While most cases occur in women over 50, there has been a rise in early-onset breast cancer among younger women.
Factors linked to the increase in breast cancer among younger women include rising obesity rates, delayed childbirth, changes in diet, and environmental exposures. Experts caution that many individuals, particularly younger women, dismiss key early symptoms, often attributing them to hormonal shifts or believing they are too young for cancer. Common symptoms of breast cancer, applicable to all age groups, include a new lump or thickening in the breast, changes in breast skin, alterations in breast size or shape, and persistent pain.
Schenkel advised others not to dismiss concerning bodily changes, stating, "Don't assume you're overreacting. If something keeps bothering you or doesn't feel normal, get it checked. Listening to your body could make all the difference."