Nipple discharge is any fluid or other liquid that comes out of your nipple. You might have to squeeze the nipple to get the fluid to come out, or it could seep out on its own. Discharge is usually not serious. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of nipple discharge and when you should talk to your doctor. Nipple discharge comes in many different colors. The color can give you some clues about the cause.
You can learn more about these causes in the next section. Discharge can also come in a few different textures. For example, it may be thick, thin, or sticky. The discharge might come out of just one nipple or both nipples. And it can leak out on its own or only when you squeeze the nipple.
The leakage can start early in your pregnancy, and you could continue to see milk for up to two or three years after you stop breastfeeding. Other causes of nipple discharge include:. Breast cancer can cause nipple discharge, especially ductal carcinoma in situ DCIS , an early form of breast cancer that starts in the milk ducts.
If you do have breast cancer, the discharge will probably only come from one breast. You may have a lump in your breast, too. Discharge is rarely due to cancer, however.
One study found that only 9 percent of women 50 years or older who saw a doctor for nipple discharge actually turn out to have breast cancer.
Nipple discharge is usually nothing to worry about. Still, because it can be a sign of breast cancer, see your doctor to have it checked out. The doctor will do a clinical exam to check your breasts for lumps or other signs of cancer. You may also have one or more of these tests:. Your doctor may treat discharge from other causes based on the condition. Here are the symptoms. What does breast cancer look like? Finding breast…. Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that occurs when malignant cells block the skin and lymph vessels of the….
Changes in breast shape or size may indicate breast cancer. The same is true for changes in the thickness or color of the skin. Pain in the breast is rarely the first noticeable…. The recurrence rate for breast…. If a cancer spreads beyond its original location, it's considered metastatic.
Breast cancer can metastasize to many sites, such as the pancreas. In this article, a doctor answers questions about genetic testing for the P1K3CA mutation and metastatic breast cancer.
PIK3CA gene mutations cause cells to grow uncontrollably, which can lead to cancer. Read on to learn how this might affect your treatment and outlook…. Genetic tests are one part of the diagnosis process for people with breast cancer. These tests can tell your doctor whether your cancer is related to…. Types and symptoms. Nipple discharge and breast cancer. Seeking help.
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