Hello and thank you for posting.

I'm sorry that you are worried that a mammogram has given you cancer because of your age and breast size. This is definitely not the case. I have information on radiation and cancer which you might be of interest here.

Now that you have used the cream for the prescribed time, do get back to the GP, so they can reassess and decide if you need to be seen at the breast clinic. There are other things that can cause problems in the breast, like cysts that you have had previously, so it isn't necessarily anything serious. Here is a link to these other conditions.

Take care and if you want to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline the number is Freephone 0808 800 4040. The lines are open from 9 am till 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

Sarah

Hi Amya and thanks for posting again.

I'm sorry to hear you are feeling so worried.

Your doctor has referred you on the 2 week pathway to have further investigations, this does not mean that you have cancer.  Most people who are referred this way will have other less serious conditions.  Although this may not stop you feeling worried, hopefully it can help you feel a little calmer.

Paget's disease of the nipple is very rare.  It often appears as a red scaly rash and can make the skin sore and inflamed. If you're experiencing itchiness, burning or bleeding but the nipple looks normal and is not red or scaly, it's unlikely to be Paget's disease of the nipple. 

Waiting for appointments can be difficult, some people find it helps to keep busy and to talk to friends and family about what is happening.  It can help to keep to your normal routine.  The NHS website Every Mind Matters can help with ideas to manage those thoughts make us feel very anxious, hopefully you will find something there to help you while you wait.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Yours sincerely,

Rachel

Hi Rachel

Thank you for your reply it means alot to me as I feel very alone and don't wish to burden my parents or loved ones with how I'm feeling or upset them.

My nipple isn't itching, bleeding or has a rash on it other than a yellow/white pimple on it that comes up and visible when the nipple goes hard and erect and then I can feel tingling and pressure on it. My anti biotic cream was first given as my gp thought it could be a hard pustule as they said it looks deep and couldn't be popped but it didn't work. It has just come up out of no where and two gp doctors don't know what it is. I had clear ultrasounds and a mammogram only 18 months ago but showed cysts only so I can't understand what is wrong with me. I'm waiting now for my date within 2 weeks and every day is a rollercoaster of emotions and getting harder by the day.x

Hello there Amya and thanks for getting back in touch

I appreciate what a worry all this waiting and not knowing must be for you.

As my colleagues have already said to you there could be other causes for this, there are many breast conditions far less serious than cancer, so try not to think the worst for now.

Try and take each day as it comes and see what the doctor at the breast clinic says.

Do try and keep yourself busy with other things and take a look at the every mind matters link that Rachel shared with you, to help you through this anxious time.

I hope your wait is over soon.

Take care

Naomi

Hi Naomi and Rachel

Well I was seen yesterday in the breast clinic after being referred urgently. Upon examination by a breast surgeon he stated on appearance it looks like I have a white cyst in the centre of my nipple. I underwent an ultrasound to see if any of my ducts were blocked and it only picked up that they were dilated and I'm not sure what this means as I was on my 5th day of my period at the time and it also picked up some small internal cysts in the breast too. As I was on my cycle my breasts are still very tender and Doctor Islam wanted me to have another mammogram aswell even though my last one was only 18 months ago but said due to me being tender it would be better to have another one in 6 weeks times and to see if the cyst shrinks back down. He told me not to worry and that he said it was a cyst but then said without the mammogram he can't be 100 percent accurate so I'm not sure what to think now as the ultrasound didn't show anything sinister so I thought this would be enough to eliminate cancer atall in my breast. Is it common for women over 40 to get nipple cysts,? Can these regress back as mine has been there a month now with no change. It also feels quite firm on the top when the nipple is erect. What could cause this as I've heard of them inside the breast but never on the top of the nipple.? If I'm assured it's ok I'm still worried about the other mammogram I've got to have again as this is going to really hurt my nipple with a cyst on it as I'm very small chested and fear the machine will cause more trauma to my breast as it hurt me last time.

Thank You

Amy

Hello Amy and thanks for the update

It is good to hear your appointment seemed to go well and the doctor thinks this is a cyst. It sounds reasonable for them to carry out a mammogram in a few weeks time to see if it resolves itself on it's own, which often this sort of thing does. Do let them know how painful the mammogram was last time and how this is worrying you. I am sure they will try all they can to make this is as quick and as pain free as possible.

Breast cysts are common up until the time of the menopause but can still occasionally occur after this. It can take a couple of cycles for these to settle but mostly breast cysts are harmless and nothing to worry about. You can read more about these here.

If breast cysts don't go away or the doctor unsure about what it is they may take a biopsy sample to be looked at under a microscope just to be on the safe side.

Try and put this to the back of your mind for now and sit tight until the mammogram. Of course if you notice it changing ( as in getting worse or causing more discomfort) do let your doctor know.

Best wishes

Naomi

Hi Naomi

Thank you for your reply and your information regarding cysts. I'm now 5 weeks in and I still have this yellow/white lump on my right nipple and although it hasn't increased in size it also hasn't got smaller either. My mammogram is scheduled for 30th June now even though I had an ultra sound a few weeks back now to check it. Is it common in your experience for women to get these cysts deep within the actual nipple area.? If they don't reside and go down or drain by themselves what normally would then happen.? I've tried a warm compress daily but it hasn't changed anything. The consultant has told me not to worry until the mammogram is done but if this still confirms s cyst then how can it be 100 percent accurate as I'm not sure if I'm now suppose to live with this like this now or not. His common are these in women over 40 on the nipple instead of being in the breast whereby you can't see them.? Can they still be cancerous as the top of it feels hard when the nipple is erect and I can't understand why it just won't pop to let the liquid out of it. I'm still really concerned. X

Hello

I am sorry to read about how concerned you are about all of this.  It is always a worrying time waiting for investigations and tests to be done.  The good thing is that it sounds like the breast specialist was pretty certain this is a cyst.  It is good to read that you will be having a further mammogram at the end of June just to be on the safe side.

I am sorry but I cannot tell you specifically how common it is to have cysts in the nipple, but breast cysts in general are not uncommon.  If the cyst is causing you discomfort or doesn't resolve they may recomend draining it for you and if they have any doubt that it is a cyst they will biopsy it for you.   

It is probably best not to keep re-examining it and treating it yourself as this may make it more inflamed and uncomfortable for you.  If it is getting more uncomfortable then have a chat with your doctor about it.

It might be helpful to contact Breast Cancer Now who produced the information about cysts that Naomi linked to in our previous reply to you if you are still concerned.  Their helpline number is 0808 800 6000 and they have breast care nurses who you can talk to.  

Take care

Martin

Amya, sorry to hear that you have been so worried about this white spot. I am your age and I also don't have children. I have noticed exactly the same white spot about five weeks ago. I had a screening mammogram and ultrasound in January because my doctor in my home country advises starting screening at 40. Some cysts and a partially calcified fibroadenoma in the left breast were noted. She advised that I repeat the ultrasound in June. I had to arrange this privately as I had no symptoms and I'm currently between GPs. A few days before the ultrasound appointment I noticed a small white spot, like a white pimple on the tip of the left nipple. The breast surgeon who examined me and reviewed the ultrasound mentioned that it's keratinaceous material in one of the duct openings, which is not worrying and should go away by itself. She didn't seem at all concerned about this. The ultrasound showed nothing around the nipple area. I was initially reassured but seeing that the spot is not going away I think I should book another appointment. I would ask them to remove the spot if they can drain it. Most information about these spots seems to mention breastfeeding or pregnancy, I didn't even know cysts could appear on the nipple instead of in the breast.

Hope yours is just a cyst and nothing to worry about further.