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Breast problems

مراجعة من قبل الدكتورة روزالين أدلمان، MRCGPآخر تحديث بواسطة Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP Last updated 31 أكتوبر 2022

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في هذه السلسلة:Breast lumpsBreast pain

Breast problems are very common in women of all ages. Most breast problems are not caused by breast cancer but it is really important to get any breast problems or concerns checked by a doctor. You may need to be referred to a breast specialist and you may need some tests such as a mammogram or an الموجات فوق الصوتية to find out the cause.

At a glance

  • Nipple discharge is often harmless and can occur during pregnancy or due to certain medicines.

  • Discharge that is bloody, from one breast only, or with a lump, should be checked by a doctor.

  • Inverted nipples are often harmless, with many women born this way.

  • New nipple inversion, especially if one-sided, should be checked by a doctor.

  • Skin changes on the breast, like itching or redness, should be checked by a doctor.

This summary has been automatically generated from the article content to help readers quickly understand the key points.

في هذه المقالة:

Video picks for Breast problems

تابع القراءة أدناه

What breast problems can occur?

There are may different breast problems, including:

Nipple discharge

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Nipple discharge is usually caused by benign disease (i.e. not breast cancer). Normal nipple discharge occurs during pregnancy and breastfeeding and may continue until up to one year after childbirth or the end of breastfeeding. Excessive breast stimulation can also cause nipple discharge.

Nipple discharge can be caused by certain gland (endocrine) problems such as a prolactinoma or if you're taking certain medicines (the combined oral contraceptive pill, cimetidine, مضادات الاكتئاب أو metoclopramide).

Nipple discharge caused by an underlying breast problem (for example, سرطان الثدي) is more likely to affect only one breast, the discharge may be bloodstained and there may also be an abnormal lump in the same breast.

تابع القراءة أدناه

Inverted nipples

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An inverted nipple points into the breast instead of the normal shape of pointing outwards. Inverted nipples are often harmless with no serious underlying cause. Many women are born with nipples that naturally invert at times and then point outwards at other times. Sometimes the nipple may become inverted after breastfeeding.

If one or both nipples start to invert then it is very important to get it checked out but most cases are not due to anything serious.

The possible causes of inverted nipples include:

  • Injury to the breast, or breast surgery.

  • Breast cancer.

  • Breast infections - for example, mastitis.

  • Rapid and substantial loss of weight.

Changes in the skin of the breast

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Skin problems can develop on or near the breast. There may be itching, scaling, dimpling, swelling, redness or other changes in skin colour. There is often no serious underlying breast problem but these skin changes may be caused by breast cancer so it's really important to get checked out straightaway in case there is a serious problem.

Patient picks for Breast problems

Breast lumps

صحة المرأة

Breast lumps

Finding a lump in your breast can cause a lot of anxiety. Most breast lumps, particularly in younger women, are not caused by cancer.

by Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP

Breast pain

صحة المرأة

Breast pain

Most women develop breast pain (mastalgia) at some stage in life. In most cases the pain develops in the days just before a period.

by Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP

الأسئلة الشائعة

What kind of discharge from the nipple should I be concerned about?

Nipple discharge is usually not serious. However, if the discharge affects only one breast, is bloodstained, or if you also discover an abnormal lump in the same breast, it is more likely to be caused by an underlying breast problem like breast cancer and should be checked by a doctor.

Can inverted nipples ever be a sign of a serious problem?

Many women are born with nipples that naturally invert, and sometimes they may become inverted after breastfeeding. While usually harmless, if one or both of your nipples suddenly start to invert, it's important to get it checked by a doctor. Although most cases are not serious, inverted nipples can sometimes be linked to causes like breast cancer, injury, breast infections, or significant weight loss.

What medications can cause nipple discharge?

Some medications can lead to nipple discharge. These include the combined oral contraceptive pill, cimetidine, certain antidepressants, and metoclopramide. Nipple discharge can also be caused by conditions like a prolactinoma, which is a problem with your glands (endocrine system).

If I notice changes in the skin of my breast, should I be worried?

Changes in the skin of the breast can include itching, scaling, dimpling, swelling, redness, or other colour changes. While often not due to a serious problem, these changes can sometimes be a sign of breast cancer. Therefore, it's crucial to get them checked by a doctor straightaway to rule out any serious underlying issues.

How long after pregnancy or breastfeeding can nipple discharge continue?

Normal nipple discharge can occur during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It may continue for up to one year after you've given birth or stopped breastfeeding without being a cause for concern.

These questions and answers have been generated from the information in this article.

قراءة إضافية ومراجع

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About the authorView full bio

Author image

الدكتور كولين تايدي، MRCGP

General Practitioner, Medical Author

MBBS, MRCGP, MRCP (Paediatrics), DCH

Dr Colin Tidy is an NHS Doctor, based in Oxfordshire.

About the reviewerView full bio

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الدكتورة روزالين أدلمان، MRCGP

MRCGP

Dr Rosalyn Adleman, is an NHS GP working in north London.

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