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Wednesday, July 08, 2009 Mom of four asks

Q: Teen with lump

My daughter is 14 years old and has had her period for the last three years.  Two days ago she showed me a lump just under the nipple that when squeezed gives off a milky looking fluid and is painful to squeeze.  Could this just be a clogged sweat gland or something more serious?  I don't want to panic and run to the doctor for nothing, but I also don't want to wait until it is something serious.

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7/ 8/09 3:52pm

Hi - First of all, I'm glad your daughter feels comfortable enough to confide in you; many girls that age don't, so bravo.

 

Please read our Teen Guide to Breast Development;our post on nipple discharge, and our post on fibrocystic change. I'm guessing the nipple discharge and the painful lump may be unrelated. Or, if they are, it could be a clogged milk duct. Either way, pain and discharge are seldom a sign of breast cancer. And at age 14, it's exceedingly rare; in fact, the statistical incidence is 0%. However, if after reading the information above, you feel the lump doesn't fit any of the descriptions, and should be examined, please don't hesitate to take her to the doctor. Breast lumps shouldn't be ignored; and it's good that she gets in the habit of noticing a change in her breast (such as a lump), and being concerned enough not to ignore it. Good luck - PJH

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