Breasts of 15 yr old daughter

Dr. -
Me and my daughter are asian. When my daughter was about 13 she got eczema on the nipples and had some pus like white/yellowish discharge, but it soon went away.  Then she developed the pimple like things around her areolar. Ive heard this is normal for moisture. Recently she has this dark rough part of her right areola under the nipple. It resembles a scab. And also there are 2 or 3 of those small bumps in her armpit. They don't stick out of the skin, but if you feel it, it's like a small ball underneath. Ive heard this could be a cyst or a blocked hair follicle. They don't bother her much, just a little bit. What i want to know is, are any of these signs of cancer or bacteria/infection? She's just 15 now. What are the chances of any breast cancer? Also, what is the dark patch on the right areola under her nipple? Dryness/infection? And how dangerous are cysts and how often do they get cancerous? Also, the little white pimple-like bumps on the areola, should they be ON the areola or AROUND the areola? Should i be worried? Thank you very much.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Ann:

Basically, you ought to have your daughter see a dermatologist or pediatrician, show the doctor all these areas, and then let yourself relax.

Cysts NEVER turn cancerous.  Bumps are usually around the areola, and they are also NEVER precancerous.  And all these changes are in the skin, and therefore have nothing to do with the breast.

I'm sure that one visit will put to rest all your anxieties.

Good luck.

Dr. R