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An I Get An Answer From An OBY GYN I

Posted on Wed, 2 Oct 2019

Question: an I get an answer from an OBY GYN I am a 69 yr old woman. Last month I thought I had a nipple discharge from my right nipple, but not sure, it may have been water from my shower. I had a breast exam, no lumps, a diagnostic mammogram, that was clear. The radiologist said it was identical to the screening one (also clear) I had in March, 2019. No change. They did an ultra sound, also normal. Today I thought I had a tiny wet spot on a tissue when I rubbed my nipple, but I do not know if my fingers were completely dry and may have cause the damp spot. I immediately wiped again and multiple times after and nothing, no wetness.Nothing more all day. I am breast cancer phobic since 2 of my friends passed from it. I am driving myself insane. My question is: do u think anything could have changed in just a month? How many breast cancers present as a discharge with no other symptoms? I have my mammogram and US record to upload. Thank you. I cannot stand this worry. Do u think I need to worry about this? Is discharge persistent if cancerous?

Answered by Dr. Soumya (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry about cancer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I understand your concerns.

Following is my reply:

1) You dont have breast cancer. Findings cannot change in one month or one year.

2) 30 percent cancers start as discharge without symptoms but it is easier to identify the reason for discharge if its cancerous origin.

3) There is absolutely no reason to worry about this.

4) There could be other reasons for discharge like infection of a mammary glad, hormonal variations causing discharge, minor injury to nipple/ areola etc... and are not reasons to worry / panic.

5) I see absolutely no chance of cancer or reasons to worry.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (44 minutes later)

I do not understand about the 30 % of cancers starting with only discharge.Everything I read says 5 to 10%. How would u know if discharge is the only symptom??? Would it be persistant? Would discharge be more than a drop? U say it cannot chg in a month...that is comforting. How can I stop this stupid worry?9

Answered by Dr. Soumya (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cancers take time to develop.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Discharge could be of different types.

Discharge could be clear, greenish, mixed with blood, pus, serosanguinous etc...Discharge need not be persistent.

These cases of cancer origin discharge is 30 percent.Those 5 to 10 percent discharges are just plain discharges in non cancer cases which are due hormonal variations especially prolactin hormone.

If you have no cancer as per recent reports, no need to worry for another year for sure. Cancer events are slow occurring and take years to evolve. It doesnot happen in a short span of time.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (4 hours later)

Final question. Would discharge be more than a drop? THX
Any suggestions on how to stop this worry? I have read where a ladies had a mammogram that was clear and a month later had cancer.

Answered by Dr. Soumya (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Take help of counselors

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Discharge can be more than a drop.

It is not possible to have cancer at a short interval. There are many women like you who are worried about cancer. This is common and known worry. There counselors available in cancer institutes who will counsel you regarding the normal changes and cancer changes. They are trained to handle anxiety due to fear of cancer.

Regards

Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar