Embarrassing Issue

[FluffyTowels27]

Name changed for this because it’s embarrassing but been here for years.

A few months ago the outside of my left breast felt itchy for a few days. Irritating, but no obvious redness, lumps or warmth. Just itchy. In the shower I decided to massage it out and a few drops of green/grey fluid came out of my areola.

Instant relief. Like squeezing a throbbing spot. Did it a couple times over the next few days and it seemed to resolve itself.

Now it’s happened again. I’ve had a good feel around, no lumps or bumps, redness or dimpling. Just itchy again and lo and behold in the shower this morning the same thing has happened. Same breast/area.

I haven’t breastfed or been pregnant for almost six years.

I’m incredibly time poor and last on the list of priorities - I’d really rather avoid a docs appointment to say “I can squeeze green fluid out of my breast” but has this happened to anyone else?! Any pearls of wisdom that it’s normal and will resolve or do I need to see someone? Is it something sinister or just one of those things.

I have no symptoms of infection, I just really don’t want to be Mrs gangrene tits.

Straight to the GP for this one. It may be an old milk duct but any weird discharge needs to be seen immediately.

You need a GP for this, any strange discharge needs proper investigation. Sorry, I know it’s not what you want to hear, you need to put yourself first here.

Definitely doctors with this.

I don't want to scare you, but I had the same at the end of August, but milk/bloody discharge. I've just been diagnosed with breast cancer and start treatment next week. The lump didn't appear for 2 more weeks after the discharge, but this is quite normal because of the way cancer grows outwards and then coalesces to this lump that you can feel. I wish I'd gone sooner. I waited for the inflammation to subside, couldn't feel a lump and thought it was all fine. I really hope it's nothing, but if it's not and you go now, it will be super early. My youngest is 9, so again, no breastfeeding for a long time.

You need to put yourself and this as a priority. How can you look after your family if you don't look after yourself?

@Rhibreadjam I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis and I hope that treatment goes well.

In all honesty - cancer didn’t even enter my mind because there’s no lump (that I can feel). I wasn’t aware of how it develops.

The green-ness of the fluid was alarming so I was more concerned that I was rotting from the inside.

If you don’t mind me asking, what investigations did they do before your diagnosis?

I had a longer path to diagnosis that introduced more delay. What should have happened, is I should have contacted my GP, been seen on the two week wait, where they would have had a one stop shop for a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsies, they only do the latter if they see something concerning. Then await histology from the biopsies and an MDT to review your case - you'll get told whether it's malignant after that. But if it looks bad on scan, they may tell you at the one stop shop how likely malignancy is. I can also relate to not having enough time for this if you are time poor, stressful job, young kids - but as the previous poster said, you need to look after yourself to make sure you can look after everyone else. You'll just need a GP appointment and to attend the breast imaging for the follow-up.

This is a CLASSIC breast cancer red flag. Please see your GP as soon as possible.

Call GP as soon as opens
tell them what you have said here and I’ll be surprised if you’re not given an appointment for this morning

Do not hang around on this one

Please see your GP asap op.

Forget questions.

Just call GP the minute it opens.

Nothing to be embarrassed about. But you need to see this is serious.

It’s probably just a bit of infection from a cut that you didn’t notice.

Maybe your DP used his teeth and accidentally caused a little scratch.

But definitely make an appointment today as you may take a while to be seen and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If it is anything bigger, the earlier you get seen the better.

Fit your own oxygen mask first love

Could be infection, could be something else but it absolutely needs checking.

I sympathise with being time poor but honestly there really is nothing so important about work, life admin, kids activities that they can’t take a back seat to getting your heath checked. So far this month I’ve had to cancel work for 3 or 4 times for doctors/hospital/dentist either for myself of one of my teens. The world kept turning and people just had to accept deadlines being pushed back a little.

Get onto the doctor today.

I’ve called the GP and I’ve been told that I need to call back at 2.30pm for an appointment in a weeks time. It’s fairly typical in fairness as it’s a “non urgent” issue.

Problem is I’m in meetings at that time so by the time I do actually get to call - all the appointments will be gone.

Ok - go to A&E and I have never ever suggested that on Mumsnet

You have alluded to feeling very embarrassed about this. Were you absolutely clear with the receptionist re what you have exactly said on this thread?

@5barks That seems quite extreme.

I did say I’ve had some discomfort and off-coloured discharge from the nipple - she said ok appointments for next week are open at 2.30pm call back then.

It is normal for my practice, it’s not great.

Op did you say what the appointment was about? This really needs to be looked at sooner - don’t be fobbed off.

Please read every single post on your own thread

To be blunt your discharge is a symptom of breast cancer. The sooner it is checked the better.

Oh for goodness sake, do you really not know how serious this could be? I know I’m being harsh but make an emergency doctors appointment for gods sake. And I hope you’re ok!

Non-urgent issue? Oh OP. Please call them back.

I had exactly the same several years ago. I was referred on the two week system and after the tests described by PP, all the milk ducts were removed from that breast as they were pre-cancerous.
As PP have said this is urgent and you need to put yourself first.