i had a mammo/ultrasound - they said it was fine - i still have a continuous itch just on the tip of my left nipple along with an odor, at times a crust forms over it like a fluid that is drying on it, along with a sharp pain shooting through it, as well as being inverted...i am now 45 and am worried as i have heard that this could be a sign of something - but no one will answer the question - they just joke and tell me it is nothing - what are the causes of this and should i be concerned?
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Q: a couple of years ago i experienced a lump in my left breast along with swelling (it was 2x's the size of the right) they said it was hormonal shortly after that i delveloped an itchy nipple
Answers (2)
12/28/10 6:04am
Cynthia, if the lump/swelling went away, then this wouldn't be a sign of breast cancer. And if the nipple itchiness/crustiness has been going on for a couple of years, then it would be very unlikely that would be a cancer symptom, either; cancer becomes much more serious more quickly, once you see an outward physical sign like that. Sharp, shooting pains are rarely a breast cancer symptom. So that leaves the inverted nipple. If that has happened recently, then you need to find out for sure what's causing it, as that can indeed be a breast cancer symptom.
Since the doctor you're currently dealing with seems unable to assess what's happening here, I'd suggest you get another opinion: either from a different doctor, or from a breast specialist, a doctor who specializes in anything to do with the breast. But do follow up on this, OK? You may need to be aggressive about getting another opinion, and advocate for yourself, but your health is worth it. Take care - PJH
12/28/10 10:10am
Cynthia, one of my pet peeves is the doctor who says, "It's nothing." They seem to mean, "it's not dangerous" or "I don't know what this is," or "this is a minor problem with no name that I know about." But it is something, not nothing! Saying, "it's nothing" makes a patient feel like she is silly to be concerned. Breast swelling to the extent you describe is a serious symptom that should be taken seriously. It sounds like the swelling is gone, but you still have symptoms that need investigation. I agree with PJ that you want to be assertive about getting this diagnosed.
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By cynthia— Last Modified: 12/28/10, First Published: 12/27/10
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