Smelling cancer!

My grandmother died when I was 7, she was only 50 years old. I’m 29 now - she was riddled with cancer. I remembered a few distinct smells from her. In the last year I have noticed those same smells off my body. Largely ammonia, and an odd smell from my arm pits. There’s also a smell from my stool that I remember smelling only when she was alive, and now that familiar smell is present in me.

I thought it was all in my head, but after reading your post/comment it makes me think there’s something more to it. I’d be to nervous to tell a doctor as I feel like they would dismiss me anyway.

Thank you for sharing!

@msears

Welcome to Mayo Connect. I understand your reluctance to tell your provider you think you smell cancer. A better way to approach may be to mention family history of cancer, your concerns and any other symptoms you have. Any changes in bowel habits should be mentioned.

Do you know the type of cancer your grandmother had?

Hi! @msears

So sorry upon hearing you've been suffering all these at such a young age...

Please see your primary care physician as soon as possible, mention to her/him your family history and request to be sent for genetic testing for cancer. This simple test looks for specific mutations changes in a person’s genes that may increase the risk of various cancers. If the test turns out to be negative, you'll have peace of mind; at the very least, your physician will send you for yearly screening after learning of your family history with cancer to ensure your health. For early detection is the key to treating any kind of cancer.

Best wishes for you with health, peace and love!

I can definitely relate to the ammonia smell. I was diagnosed in 2022 with breast cancer. The months before my diagnosis I kept smelling ammonia and I would get a ringing in my ear that sounded almost like Morse code constantly. I went through chemotherapy and a DMX and both the smell and sound in my ear stopped. No doctor I spoke with about it seemed concerned at all about these symptoms and I would get the response from each “hmmm, I’ve never heard of that happening, I’m not sure what that could be” and that’s where the conversation about it would end. Fast forward to the start of January 2025, I’ve been NED for about two years and now I’m getting that smell again, more and more. I’ve been so fatigued, I have swollen lymph nodes, blurry vision in one eye and lower back and neck pain…a bunch more symptoms too that all seem totally unrelated to another. I saw my primary care physician who drew blood and ordered scans (my appt is for Feb 3) I went to the ER and she tested me for virus and also took blood. My MCHC was a little low and my BUN a little high but that’s all that showed up. The ER Dr also couldn’t explain the ammonia smell or any other symptoms. She gave me my lab reports and told me to follow up with my doctor. I’m hoping you still see these posts even though it’s been almost 6 years because I’m very curious as to what you found out.

Hi! @ mygodisgr8r:

How have you been? For you are still in my thoughts prayers, and I am wondering how's the result of your scan on February 3rd?

I sincerely hope you are getting better. Pray that you get the accurate diagnosis and receive the best treatments to regain health completely soon!

Best wishes on the journey ahead!

Thank you for this. I'm scheduled to have my right breast biopsy on February 25th. I too have a very distinctive smell coming from my right armpit. It makes me feel unclean and self conscious. I shower and it's still there. I use wet wipes and it's still there. I even changed deodorant and my God it's still there. I went through this at 36yrs old, but left side and no smell that I can remember. By God's grace the lump was benign. Here I am at 48 almost 49 and going through this again with the right side. I'm praying for the best and leaving the rest in God's hands. I really don't know how to feel or what to think! I'm just praying for the best and trying to put it out of my mind...

I smell a camphor (moth ball) smell under my arms. Perhaps because my cancer also hit my lymph nodes. Any one else have moth ball smell?

My husband has lymphoma and he has a distinct smell in his groin area where the tumor was taken out. He has had chemo but could not tolerate it. Even though he has not had chemo for 5 months he says he can still smell it no matter how much he washes.

Yes, I have a distinctive, odd smell coming from my vagina. I have endometrial cancer, and went through 6 rounds of chemo. The doctor provided a short burst of radiation to an area with a new cancer lesion to try and "dry up" the cancer somewhat in hopes of erasing the smell. It didn't work--smell still there. Yes, it is embarrassing and I'm disconcerted that there is nothing I can do about it.
Will be participating in a clinical study soon and hope the treatment works, once and for all.