Hi Poppylisa

Sorry that you are worried and this is impacting your life.  You ask for comfort, all I can say is that your imagination is running wild. It is rare that nipple discharge is caused by cancer without other symptoms e.g. lump or inverted nipple. There are benign conditions that can cause a discharge and your GP has referred you to the breast clinic for a diagnosis. Breast clinics are not just for those with suspected cancer. The breast clinic sees a wide range of breast conditions, they have the technology and specialists that can diagnose and treat whatever is wrong. It doesn't mean you have cancer, you could have something called 'duct ectasia'

www.breastcancer.org/.../mammary-duct-ectasia

Try not to worry too much enjoy your daughter's birthday.

Hi, I don't know if this will help. 
I had a mis shaped boob and got referred to the clinic for scans too. They checked and said it was due to breast feeding about a year ago. 
your body does a lot of things after children.

try not to worry. I even got a drippy nipple a year after breastfeeding my son. 
try not to worry. I hope this helps you. Xxxxx

Thank you so so much for you're reply, I have heard of duct ectasia and read a little into it but whatever I google all the scary and negative words just pop out at me, I am praying it's something simple because two years ago to this month I was in the same situation worrying about cancer and it turned out to be uterine fibroids, I guess I feel I won't be so lucky this time, the past 2 years firstly we lost a family member to pancreatic cancer a few months later my father in law to lung cancer then at the beginning of the month I lost my cousin just 32 cancer of the vulva my uncle who I am close to has skin cancer and my step father has leukemia and just two weeks ago my partner suffered a stroke, I kind of have the what next  kind of feeling, I am up the wall with worry, I don't really have anybody to talk to in the family because I don't wish to worry them and none of my friends have ever had breast issues, I am so thankful for you're reply, thank you so much x

Thank you that really does help, I'm really glad you turned out to be OK,

My little one is 11 months I didn't breast feed but I collected colostrum when I was 37 weeks pregnant and there was no green discharge present then, but prior to that I did have green nipple discharge just before I got pregnant, now every time I give them a squeeze I have a few droplets of very dark green it's really scary, I'm not sure if my left breast is sore from all the squeezing or the fact there is something going on, I do sometimes get sore breasts but have never paid attention to when or if its the 2 of them, I guess I have to just sit it out and wait for the breast clinic in the meantime I am just so sick with worry, thank you so much for taking the time to reply xxxxx

I can see why you're worried given all that's happened to your family members and how easy it is to jump to conclusions. Please stay away from Dr Google as it will only feed your anxiety. Try and stay grounded as at the moment all you know is that you have a discharge and a sore breast due to you poking at it all the time. You know the score as you have been through it already with fibroids and know you worried about nothing then. I kept myself busy when I was waiting for results and when a bad thought came into my head I would replace it with a good thought/image. It got me through the waiting.

With 8 kids, I'm sure you can keep yourself VERY busy :laugh:

PS - we are here to support you whenever you need it x

Thank you, and yes that does make sense, I'm a really bad anxiety sufferer to the point where I just feel constantly sick and have mapped it all out already if that makes sense. I'm trying to keep it in check but the moment everyone is asleep I become this wreck, have been put back on my anxiety medication so hopefully this helps soon, I hope to get my appointment date soon and I hope its a straightforward outcome fingers crossed but this discharge has been on/off for 2 years in between my last 2 pregnancies and now but it became a concern after I noticed the pain and swelling too never noticed this before, thank you for you're reply, yes my 8 keep me on my toes for sure,

Hopefully, your anxiety meds kick in soon but if you need something extra to get you through the night then don't hesitate to ask the GP.  The last thing you need is insomnia on top of everything else. My sleeping pattern is all over the place at the moment so have no tips for you on that score.

.Hope you're seen soon too x

I hope so too. I can definitely relate to the insomnia, funny enough it was my anxiety and insomnea that got me speaking to the doctor, I thought I'd mention the breast issue whilst I was speaking to him, I feel silly and embarrassed but I thought it was normal until he said he would refure me, hope you manage to sort you're sleeping pattern out soon x

Hello

Although you have posted this in the Ask the Nurses area I can see that you have had some wonderful replies from other members of the community.  I can only reinforce some of what they have already said. 

There could be lots of different explanations for the discharge.  It is normal with any problems in the breast to refer someone to a breast clinic so please don't jump to the conslusions that this means it is cancer.  It is always sensible to get any changes in your health checked out so you are doing the right thing, but there could be lots of different reasons for the discharge.

Try not to continue squeezing your breast or nipple, this will only make it sore and wont give you any further certainty about what might be causing the discharge.  Try to do something to take you mind off things and remember that there is a good chance it will turn out to be infection or inflammation of some kind rather than cancer.

Take care

Martin

Thank you for you're response. 

You are right and I do hope it's something a little less sinister. 

Woke up this morning feeling sore and swollen in between the arm and breast, also the breast I'm hoping it's down to all the anxiety and feeling a bit sensitive down to previous prodding and poking, 

Thank you for the advice I'm never short on things to keep me busy thankfully, now just have to wait to hear from the breast clinic hopefully soon