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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Blood from Nipple
Answered by
Cleveland Clinic - Breast cancer
Cleveland - OH
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Blood from Nipple
by SUZIL, Jan 15, 2008 10:03AM
If Blood comes from the nipple when it is sucked is it symptom of breast cancer. non lactating
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Jan 15, 2008 12:47PM
, Jan 15, 2008 12:47PM
Dear Suzil, Women can have some type of nipple discharge or fluid when their breasts are squeezed, and its normal. Squeezing the nipple sends message to the brain and the pituitary gland responds by increasing prolactin levels, which in turn produces discharge from the nipple. The discharge can come in a variety of colors - gray, green and brown as well as white. Some women are more prone to more discharge including women on; birth control pills, certain blood pressure medications or on major tranquilizers. These medications increase prolactin levels in the body. There is also certain life periods when a person is more likely to get discharge than others: there may be more discharge at puberty and at menopause than the years in-between.
The time to be concerned about nipple discharge is when it’s spontaneous (comes out by itself without squeezing), keeps on happening, and is only on one side. If it is clear and sticky, like an egg white, or bloody. Bloody discharge could be a symptom of something more serious. You may want to make sure to discuss this with your doctor who can ask questions and evaluate as necessary.
The time to be concerned about nipple discharge is when it’s spontaneous (comes out by itself without squeezing), keeps on happening, and is only on one side. If it is clear and sticky, like an egg white, or bloody. Bloody discharge could be a symptom of something more serious. You may want to make sure to discuss this with your doctor who can ask questions and evaluate as necessary.
