Breast problems
Granskad av Dr Rosalyn Adleman, MRCGPSenast uppdaterad av Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP Last updated 31 Oct 2022
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I denna serie: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 ultraljudsskanning 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.
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Video picks for Breast problems
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What breast problems can occur?
There are may different breast problems, including:
Nipple discharge.
Inverted nipples.
Changes in the skin of the breast.
Nipple discharge
Tillbaka till innehållNipple 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, antidepressiva or metoklopramid).
Nipple discharge caused by an underlying breast problem (for example, bröstcancer) 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.
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Inverted nipples
Tillbaka till innehållAn 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
Tillbaka till innehållSkin 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.
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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
Vanliga frågor
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.
Vidare läsning och referenser
- Perry MC; Breast Lump
- Breast pain - cyclical; NICE CKS, August 2021 (UK access only)
- Salzman B, Collins E, Hersh L; Common Breast Problems. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Apr 15;99(8):505-514.
- Breastfeeding problems; NICE CKS, February 2022 (UK access only)
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About the authorView full bio
Dr Colin Tidy, 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
Dr Rosalyn Adleman, MRCGP
MRCGP
Dr Rosalyn Adleman, is an NHS GP working in north London.
Artikelhistorik
Informationen på denna sida är skriven och granskad av kvalificerade kliniker.
Next review due: 13 Oct 2027
31 Oct 2022 | Senaste versionen
23 Nov 2017 | Ursprungligen publicerad
Författad av:
Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP
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