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.

Same as PP, you must see the GP as a priority. Call and tell them what the problem is if you have any problems getting an appointment. This is not a “non urgent” issue.
In fact in my area women can self refer to the breast clinic so look if you can do that.
Don’t be embarrassed, GPs have seen all sorts.

Ok I’ve called back, spoke to someone different luckily and acted like I hadn’t just been told to call back later.

She asked about my symptoms, length of time it’s been going on, colour of the discharge etc and she’s said she will seek advice this morning from the duty doctor, to leave my phone on and they will call back.

So let’s see what they say.

@dancinginthekitchen Thank you for sharing your story. I’m totally ignorant I didn’t even know that they could identity anything pre-cancerous.

Thank you for the direct advice - I did need a kick up the arse.

It's not down to the receptionist to decide if you can wait until next week for an appointment! Discharge from the nipple, even without a lump is concerning and needs to be investigated urgently. My GP practice has the new 'fill out an online form' system now...but all those forms are seem by a GP to be triaged. I've had to use it recently several times, and it's been really quick and efficient.

You need to prioritise getting a GP appointment. Can you speak to your line manager about not attending a meeting, so you can call the GP practice?

I hope you get seen asap OP, it does sound concerning, im glad you got soneobe more helpful the second time. Good luck.

Glad you called back OP, as soon as I read this I was worried for you, it could be an infection but I’d be really concerned if it were me. Hope you get sorted. X

Glad you called back OP as this should be taken seriously. I hope it's nothing but don't be alarmed if they put you on the two week wait for cancer investigation - that just means to rule it out not that you definitely have it. Good luck and hope whatever it is that it's easily resolved.

Great. Well done. I hope all is ok 💐

I’d really rather avoid a docs appointment to say “I can squeeze green fluid out of my breast”

I can't think of a better reason for a GP appointment. You must put yourself at the bottom of the pile if this doesn't feel like a thing you can instantly do for yourself.

Do you have any support?

If they try to fob you off with a non urgent appointment again say very clearly that you are concerned it might be breast cancer. But hopefully after you spoke to the second person and they listened properly you will get an urgent appointment.

@Sassylovesbooks The problem is I am where the buck stops at work so it never ends.

While I am really surprised that they are not treating this as urgent, I had something very similar (itching discomfort and green to brown nipple discharge) and it turned out to be ductal ecstasia and periductal mastitis - usually seen in women over 60 and heavy smokers apparently (I am neither).

I was very frightened as I have never been in a position where the NHS moved so fast and kept noting red flags rather than just telling me it was all fine. I was referred within a week to the Breast Cancer clinic and had consultation and tests. I was given diagnosis about a week later. I am just recounting this becasue I think this is the level of treatment/pathway you should expect.

As PP have said though, you should be taking it seriously and so should they. I wish you all the luck with it all.

That will be cold comfort to you and your family if transpire this is serious health issue

Would you tell someone you manage that they couldn’t take time to see a doctor about potential cancer symptoms? Come on now shake off this “the buck stops with me” nonsense. Unless your own job is managing life or death situations then nothing is going to come crashing down if you have to reschedule or cancel meetings last minute to make a phone call or attend an appointment.

There will be no gold medal or millions pound cash bonus at the end of your employee service for prioritising work over health. It’s just work even if you are the top of the ladder and paid shit loads. It’s just work.

My darling you would be cold in the ground and they would interview and hire someone else.

That attitude will get you absolutely nowhere. Nobody sat on their deathbed and wished they'd martyred themselves more to work to the detriment of their health and family.

I hope this is a near miss and a big wake up for you, and you find some more freedom.

No I’d call them back and push harder for an appointment either today or tomorrow, they try to fob anyone off that they can, you need to say it’s urgent.

Wishing you all the best. Better checked out now than later - time may be of the essence here. As a breast cancer survivor myself (and ex lead medical secretary in the NHS) I know that any breast changes, big or small, are to be deemed as urgent unless told otherwise by a clinician. The first receptionist had no right to tell you that this is a non-urgent matter and I hope, if sent a Family and Friends feedback form, that you relay this to the practice. Incorrect information by a non-clinician could delay issues considerably. Take care of yourself.

A&E will not do a thing.

They’ll have to manage without you if you end up in hospital.
if you need to go to a meeting, you say right at the start that you’re waiting for a call from your GP and may have to leave for room for a few mins to take it.

They would. And certainly did with my cousin.

My breast cancer started as an itch, I was 39 at diagnosis....please get it checked asap. Be ruthless, call constantly, do whatever you need to do to be seen

I’ve just had a small rash on my breast (which is going thankfully, I think it’s a bite) and I googled and found out there’s a think called inflammatory breast cancer which isn’t characterised by a lump in the breast. There doesn’t have to be a lump for it to be cancer.

Get to the GP OP.

Just seen your update. Call 111.

ETA - Now seen the update that they’re calling you back, so ignore this.

Hope all is ok OP.

They’ve agreed to see me at 11am today.

Well done OP, you've done the right thing, hopefully they'll get you sorted ASAP.

Don’t be even the slightest bit embarrassed, be absolutely honest