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.

Heavens above! We are all expendable/replaceable!

I find it amazing that you rate yourself so highly at work but not highly enough in your personal life to get prompt assessment for a potential cancer!!!

Sorry to be blunt, but come on, get your priorities sorted. Push for that appointment and leave your colleagues to sink or swim. They'll be fine.

Good luck with it all.

11 this morning is good 👍

Thank goodness you rang back.
🤞 for you. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best! Chin up. Love and strength 💐💐💐

Around here we can make an appointment for a breast clinic ourselves, don't need a GP. So can go get a mammo and get the results same day. It's a lot of waiting around though. Any chance you have anything like that near you?

Good luck at 11.

To put it bluntly OP, if you are ill and need time off work, they will manage.
I have had a close friend and a colleague die unexpectedly and guess what after the initial shock work moved on without them.
Nobody is indispensable and your health is always more important.

Not saying this is definitely going to turn out to be a serious issue, but it does need to be seen as a priority. Hopefully it is just a minor infection. I remember getting milk leakage from my breast over a year after stopping breastfeeding, it was just hormonal.

What did they do? This is a GP issue, that's exactly what my A&E would say, unless OP was having signs of serious systemic infection. I am saying this from experience of having worked in one and having family who work there. Not all Trusts are the same obviously.

You need to be seen today. You have a classic symptom of breast cancer. Do not play this down. Go to an and e today if needed. Minor injuries. You need to be seen.

being time poor will not help you if you do have breast cancer

Well done OP and dont think you’ve over reacted. I am shocked though that you knew so little about how breast cancer can present . Not having a go at you, just suprised that some women are still unaware as I thought it was well advertised. Hopefully someone else reading this thread will be similarly encouraged to go see their GP. Hope all is well for you

A/E will do nothing other than to tell her to see her GP for a 2WW referral.

In all honesty it hadn't occurred me that it could be something serious - in my mind, yes you get it all checked out but 99% of the time its a cyst or infection and nothing sinister.

Got some sweaty palms heading into this appointment this morning now!

I’m in my mid 30s so I guess I’ve been complacent because “it doesn’t happen to women my age”. Evidently it does.

Genuine thank you to those that have shared their stories - likelihood is I wouldn’t have made the second phone call unless I’ve heard it.

I’ll let you know how it goes but obviously hoping for them to tell me that it’s nothing.

@Mischance I think you’ve formed an opinion that isn’t really true. I know I’m entirely replaceable, I don’t rate myself so highly it’ll all fall apart without me.

Work is a lot, kids are a lot, general life is a lot - I’m not alone in that - but it’s a LOT. Hence why I ignored this months ago.

Sorry if I sounded too blunt ... but YOU matter!!

My sister has been down this road twice and I cannot bear that this symptom should be taken lightly.

Hopefully it is something entirely benign ... I have my fingers crossed for you ....

This is what sprang immediately to mind for me. I had this about a year ago. Very, very itchy nipple, inverted and when I gently squeezed it a vivid green sticky liquid came out. I was urgently referred to the breast clinic for ultrasound and mammogram and diagnosed with nipple duct ectasia which there isn’t really any treatment for. However, you should still go through the usual process of seeing a GP and being referred to the breast clinic as a precaution.

Good luck in your appt today!

It could well be just an infected duct, but always always best to get these things seen to asap.

I would imagine you will be referred to a ‘One Stop’ breast clinic which is an urgent referral and a very thorough assessment all in one day. Over 90% of patients DON’T turn out to have breast cancer so please don’t be alarmed.

You do need to see a GP, there are other reasons aside from cancer, I had a friend who had this and it turned out she had MS, it's a rare side affect for some. It can also happen with thyroid disorders and some kidney issues. It's certainly worth a health screening just to make sure there is nothing going on.

I have had breast cancer. No lump at all. The dr who referred me for the mammogram couldn't feel a lump. My nipple was itchy. There are different types of breast cancer. Lobular breast cancer often has no lump. It is most likely not BC but you need a mammogram now.

Just chiming in to wish you all the best for the appointment at 11. Please don’t feel embarrassed, you are absolutely doing the right thing.

Good luck op, glad you’ve got seen.
Agree with pp’s that your health comes before work. There’s no prize for being a martyr.
Hope it’s nothing serious although I expect the gp will refer you on anyway to be ok the safe side x

Good luck OP.

If this does turn out to be 'nothing', which hopefully it will, do not let it deter you from reporting any further changes in the future as soon as possible. Don't let being given the 'okay' lure you into a false sense of security when it comes to your health.

Good luck.

Let is know how you get on.

A third of cancer cases in the UK are diagnosed via A&E

And so they should see you. The first receptionist needs some extra training.

Without being harsh if you don't put your health first it could potentially end for all of you.

I’m glad you’re getting seen today OP. You really can’t mess about with these things.,

Cancer diagnoses in A&E are generally unexpected findings in patients who present with non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain.

Breast discharge is not something that can be investigated in A&E. OP needs a breast clinic referral where mammograms, ultrasound and biopsies can be done if needed and most A&E departments cannot refer patients directly for this, it has to be done via the GP.

Hey OP. I had similar symptoms years ago. My GP sent me to A&E with an urgent referral for breast cancer. Not sure we had the cancer pathways then that we do now. Anyhow, I had an ultrasound same day and it turned out to be an abscess/infection which needed draining and antibiotics. Hopefully you have the same outcome as me 🤞🤞🤞