A greenish or dark, thick, sticky nipple discharge may signal clogged and inflamed milk ducts, a benign but unpleasant condition called MAMMARY DUCT ECTASIA. The discharge can come from one or more of the tiny ducts that lead to the nipple. But a pus-like, foul-smelling discharge may signal a breast infection, medically known as Mastitis. And a bright red, blood-like discharge from only one milk duct on the nipple is a classic sign of the non-cancerous growth called Intraductal Papilloma.
A reddish discharge, particularly from only one milk duct, may be a red flag for two forms of breast cancer, Paget's disease of the breast and Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. Finally, whether bloody or not, nipple discharge from several milk ducts is a common sign of fibrocycstic changes or other benign breast conditions.
Spontaneous discharge from one duct, which may or may not look bloody, is the hallmark of an Intraductal Papilloma, a non-cancerous growth in a milk duct. Although usually not noticeable, some women do describe seeing a small wart-like bump behind or near the edge of the nipple. Such bumps may appear on one or both breasts. Interstingly, younger women tend to have multiple growths, while older women usually have only one.
The only way to determine if a breast change is benign or more serious is what is medically known as "The Triple Test":
*A clinical breast examination, which is one done by a health care professional
*Imaging, a mammogram or ultrasound
*A nonsurgical biopsy, a fine needle aspiration and/or core biopsy
If any one of the results is positive, then further evaluation is needed. And remember, not just lumps need to be cheked out. So do any leaks or changes in shape, size, skin, or sensation.
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