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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Concerned....
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.
Concerned....
by Sondra Elmore, Jul 20, 2004 12:00AM
I am 33, a mother of 3 children ages 13, 11, and 4. Since the birth of my youngest child I have had a milky discharge from both of my breasts, I never breastfed. I go for my yearly exams and have always mentioned this problem and it was never a concern to my old physicians. Yesterday I had my yearly with a new physician. She took a sample of the discharge on a swab and is sending me for a mammogram tomorrow. It was always my understanding that since both breasts had the leakage it was unlikely to be a problem. It is not a spontaneous discharge and usually only happens during stimulation. There is no breast cancer history in my family. I have noticed that my skin on one breast seems to be more dry
I have my tests tommorrow, but am really concerned. What type of breast cancer is discharge indicitive of? Any other advice is appreciated.
I have my tests tommorrow, but am really concerned. What type of breast cancer is discharge indicitive of? Any other advice is appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Jul 20, 2004 12:00AM
Dear NeedtoKnow101: Many women 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 worry about nipple discharge is when it’s spontaneous (comes out by itself without squeezing), keeps on happening,is only on one side, and/or if it is clear and sticky, like an egg white, or bloody. If these symptoms are present a doctor should check you.
In your case, I suspect that the doctor just wants to be safe. It is unlikely that this represents anything cancerous.
The time to worry about nipple discharge is when it’s spontaneous (comes out by itself without squeezing), keeps on happening,is only on one side, and/or if it is clear and sticky, like an egg white, or bloody. If these symptoms are present a doctor should check you.
In your case, I suspect that the doctor just wants to be safe. It is unlikely that this represents anything cancerous.
