I have sore,scaly nipple, please help

[katyv]

hi, since last thursday i have had a very sore right nipple.  It is also scaly on the underside of my nipple.  I went to the doctors this morning and he has prescribed a steroid ointment for it.  I am very concerned as my mother, at the same age (36) was diagnosed with breast cancer and subsequently died.  I have read about Paget's disease and am even more worried now - can anybody offer me any advice please?  Thank you

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear katyv, Paget’s disease is a rare form of breast cancer.  Symptoms usually associated with this are itching, redness, and spontaneous (not forced) nipple discharge.  For Paget’s disease to be diagnosed requires a sample of the tissue to be examined under the microscope.  See how the treatment with the steroid cream goes if this is not getting better or you continue to have problems, make sure your physiscian is aware so further evaluation can be made.

[jrr-texas]

I am 37 and I just had my first mamo and sono's today...My only symptom is a bloody discharge from my right brest, although I have had a yellowish/green discharge from both sides since I stopped nursing 6.5 years ago. I have never "sprang a leak" like so many woman say... never, never. I have flat niples and "they" said I could never feed my babies. I did, and they thrived! My children are 9.5 nad 7.5 and I nursed them each for one full year - It has been 6.5 years since then. The blood started a few months ago. It is not spontaneous, only mild presure to the nipple will cause this, as is/was the same with milk.  
The techs said nothing "out loud" but there are several cysts in both brests... (L=2, R=5+ and the blood is only from one tiny spot on the right).  There is no family history of brest cancer.
What do I have to look forward to find a reason/diagnosis?  What might I be told?