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- $Unique_ID{BRK01001}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{White Discharge During Breast Self-Examination}
- $Subject{nipple discharge breast examination Skin Subcutaneous Tissue causes
- nipples discharges breasts milky thick multicolored sticky yellow bloody red
- pink pussy purulent clear}
- $Volume{L-19}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- White Discharge During Breast Self-Examination
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- QUESTION: I have noticed that when I examine my breasts as you have often
- suggested, that a small white discharge can be pushed out if I squeeze around
- my areola (nipple) area. I haven't yet pulled together enough courage to see
- my physician about this, and hope you can tell me if this is something I
- should be worrying about.
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- ANSWER: When "worry" is part of the problem, the only solution is to obtain
- the answer that will help to explain the situation and outline the
- possibilities. While I can offer you general explanations, the only way you
- can be completely informed is to stop putting off the examination by your own
- physician that you know you need, and which will provide you with the personal
- answers you must have. For my part, I have some good news for you. The
- nipple discharge which women can express from their nipple, and which a doctor
- may also do during the breast examination, is rarely the sign of any serious
- medical condition and is not considered unusual. When healthy women had a
- suctioning device used on their breast as part of an investigation of this
- situation, 83% showed some discharge. The type of discharge which is more
- significant than the type produced by compressing the nipple area, is that
- which occurs persistently, without any external squeezing, and is present in a
- nonnursing woman. Such discharges can be of almost any color, but fall
- essentially in to seven types: milky; thick, multicolored and sticky; yellow;
- bloody (red); pink; pussy (purulent); and clear. While any of these may be a
- sign of possible tumor growth, there are many other causes for such
- discharges, including medications, including birth control pills and
- antihypertensives, infections, and even the use of marijuana. There is even a
- condition called "pseudo-discharge", which while looking like a breast
- discharge can come from skin rashes on the breast, inverted nipples and
- excessive stimulation during self-examination or sex. Whatever the cause in
- your case, an early diagnosis is important to effective treatment and to
- respond to your anxiety, which I hope will have been truly unnecessary.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-