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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Nipple Discharge
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.
Nipple Discharge
by JillP, Jun 26, 2001 12:00AM
I have had nipple discharge from one breast only. I am 34 no history of any cancer in family. I get this discharge only when I squeeze the nipple. Two times I squeezed and from on area on the nipple it was green then immediately went back to milky color. I had an occult test (negative), breast exam (negative), mammogram (negative) and u/s (negative). Can I sort of put cancer out of my mind?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Jun 27, 2001 12:00AM
Dear JillP: 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.
Since you have already had a complete work-up by a physician, it is unlikely that this discharge is related to cancer. If the discharge starts to occur on its own (without squeezing), you may need to be re-evaluated.
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.
Since you have already had a complete work-up by a physician, it is unlikely that this discharge is related to cancer. If the discharge starts to occur on its own (without squeezing), you may need to be re-evaluated.
don't worry that it is coming from just one breast - the other factors mentioned are much more important than the one sidedness - I had the same thing - but like you was checked and all is normal. Also the key thing is if it is like egg white or bloody which yours is not. I am 30 and also have similar discharge to you - again, only if squeezed this is more on one side than the other. Glad I saw this site and the comments.