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.

Call Doc asap. It could be a number of things mainly benign, ALWAYS best to get these things checked, not embarrassing at all.

@Biddybobsleigh OP already has and is at the docs now.

Great. Just read it and reacted without reading OPs other posts. (Im a radiographer)

Id be amazed if OP has been seen yet, got home or wherever and is on MN already!

I am aware of that as my husband works in one and has diagnosed many of these cases. This is usually when the disease is unfortunately at an advanced stage, and when the patient presents with symptoms that are from metastatic disease (bowel obstruction, acute shortness of breath etc.) Discharge from a nipple alone would not be seen as an emergency so this case is completely different. Rather than sitting for hours in A&E, OP needs to be urgently referred to a breast clinic via the GP to rule out anything nasty, so other posters have also said.

Yes, that makes sense. My post was a bit irrelevant.

Really hope everything went okay @FluffyTowels27 !

That's not an acceptable response from your GP, not because of your issue specifically or any perceived urgency, they shouldn't be asking you to call back to see if they have appointments free at another time. The practice should be calling YOU back by the end of the next day with next steps for dealing with the health problem you have already reported to them.

I know it's another admin task to add to your list but are you able to contact Healthwatch in your area to report this?

https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/blog/2026-02-25/how-will-new-gp-contract-improve-experience-your-local-practice

Excellent result.

Back again.

Very nice GP - she was very thorough, checked my history, family history etc. Had an exam. She can feel a lump or thickening in the left breast and has referred me to the clinic for a mammogram.

She said that she’s quite confident it’s not nefarious but she doesn’t have X-ray eyes so the only people who can tell me that I’m ok, would be the clinic.

Expect a call in a week or two for an appointment. It’s very local to me so that’s good.

Hey OP just to say good you got it checked. If they don't mention it you may be put on a two week cancer pathway - this doesn't mean you have cancer or indicate something sinister immediately. It just means you are going to be seen quickly to ascertain the concern. This is VERY normal and routine. I mention it here as a few people I know were caught out by the cancer pathway and went into a spiral when nothing was wrong. Hope it's fine in the end.

That's good you've been seen. Best wishes.

In June, this year, my Daughter had a rash on one of her boobs. Went to the doctor and was sent to a breast clinic 'just to be on the safe side' as she had an aunt (my sister) who developed breast cancer at the age of 29. Dr couldn't feel anything and was pretty sure there was nothing to be worried about.

She got an appointment within 2 weeks at a breast clinic. The rash had cleared up by then and subsequently it turned out not be anything to do with cancer. The oncologist also couldn't feel anything and was quite reassuring that she didn't have cancer, but because my daughter made a point again that her Aunt had died from Breast cancer, she sent her along for a mammogram, just to reassure her.

At which point they discovered she DID have a cancer. That was 30th June and by 27th July she had had a lumpectomy (cancer was about 2cm), it hadn't spread to the lymph nodes and the margins around the lump were clear. She had radiotherapy for only a week, in September and is now officially cancer free and has every chance of staying that way.

SO PLEASE GO TO YOUR GP ASAP @FluffyTowels27 . Better to be safe than sorry

EDITED TO ADD - You posted while I was typing this, so I'm pleased to see you have got yourself checked out. Fingers crossed for you that all will be ok

So pleased you have had a thorough examination and are on the route to proper investigations. Good luck.

Oh thats fab you have got the ball rolling!

Please chase up if you don't hear very soon. I assume that she has put you on the 2 week pathway.

My lovely GP forgot to send the referral which they only realised once I chased them.

Fortunately I had private health insurance at the time and was able to see a consultant the next day.

If you have PHI, I would use that.

@Silvers11 That’s fucking terrifying. I’m so sorry for the loss of your sister - and I’m genuinely so pleased that your daughter pushed ahead and got treatment early.

It’s certainly sobering - especially so so so young.

My GP feels as though it’s likely scar tissue or something with the ducts but I am pleased it’ll be looked at. Better to know it’s nothing than worry that it’s something.

@Thanksdebs Yep she knows it’s happened previously, the green discharge, the exact location, the irritation/itch feeling.

My maternal grandmother died of cancer but by the time she was diagnosed we have no idea where the original cancer started - it was everywhere bless her.

I think that’s why she’s referred me for a mammogram but she was very relaxed - despite feeling a lump and the discharge she was confident it’s something like ectasia.

@Thanksdebs Oh I don’t know why your comment got deleted.

I’m glad you’ve been seen.
Hopefully it will turn out to be nothing too serious

Mammogram is booked for Monday. That sounds awfully quick?!

Sounds like they put you on the,2 week pathway. Which is good because you won’t have to worry for too long, fingers crossed for good news

It doesn't mean you do have cancer. But they are taking it seriously. If you're on the 2 week pathway to check for breast cancer, they'll move fast, even if it turns out to be nothing. As I said, in my earlier post, my daughter's cancer was found and the cancer treated really, really quickly.

She wasn't expecting anything other than a mammogram for reassurance and at the clinic her mammogram was passed to the oncologist while she was still at the clinic and she was immediately given a couple of biopsies and another mammogram. To say she was shocked, would be an understatement !

At least you won't have to wait too long. I am told by several.people who have been through this, say the waiting is the worst thing. Fingers crossed all will be ok