Hi pickles and other ladies on this forum,I’m 43 and a single mum of 4 daughters,I had my first appointment over 2 years ago having a papiloma removed with needle core biopsy,Then last year a second was removed,Hormone blood tests revealed I’m not on the change either,My mum had a mastectomy a month ago after an abnormal mammogram she was diagnosed full advanced breast cancer within hours and in theatre within days,I have not spoke to anyone about how I feel as I only have my mum and 4 daughters and neither are appropriate for answering them,I leak blood constantly from both nipples it’s quite scary but I’m just greatfull to survive this long,I’m concerned that it will look different as people have shown the dramatic cosmetic difference.I was bulimic 3 years ago and my confidence is still not back with my body but my boobs and just come back,any advice on what they can do following surgery x

Hi Everyone, I wanted to add to this post as I’ve recently undergone a full duct removal from my right breast and wanted to share my experience as when I was going through it I tried to find out as much as I could from others and hope this can help others too. I had been having issues with my right breast for quite a while, but with being only 35 years old and having good size boobs I kept blaming the dull aches or pains on wrong size bras/hormones etc I then noticed a slight white discharge from my nipple, nothing much and again researched and it’s fairly a normal and common thing for us women. It was always on my mind and starting to cause great anxiety so thought I’d best make the call and get it looked at. I booked in with a check4cancer clinic, I was so nervous and scared, with the awful Covid pandemic my husband couldn’t be there to support me, the doctor examined my breast and then I had an ultrasound on the areas he felt where swollen, it really is so terrifying but the staff are incredible, they are kind and caring, understanding how nervous you are. Also he took a sample of the discharge from my nipple to be tested. The ultrasound did not show anything abnormal and the sample was sent away. Unfortunately I received a call a week later to say there was some abnormal cells discovered and he advised that a full duct removal was carried out. It was such an anxious, upsetting and stressful time, waiting for the operation, I had never had any surgery or experienced general anaesthetic, so I was unbelievably scared. Day of the operation the hospital and staff were wonderful and explained everything, the operation went well and I was just glad to get home and rest. I was surprised how small the dressing was when I first had the courage to look at it, my week after surgery was much better than expected, slightly sore as expected but not agonising pain, I was lucky not to have to take any painkillers, the bruising was only under the breast, I removed the dressings after 6 days to give it a clean and put some germolene on, day 7 I had my follow up appointment and he was really pleased with how it was healing, advised to keep another dressing on for 7 more days, at the follow up appointment the doctor advised me that when he went in that all my ducts were clogged and swollen so we did the right thing to remove them but the absolute best news was that nothing bad was found and everything was fine. I can’t even describe how that felt, it had been the worse few weeks, the anxiety had caused me panic attacks, sick, chest pains and just so ill with worry. I’m now today the day after and still feel in a daze from the last few weeks but I’m happy and relieved, I’m dressing my wound and fingers crossed it continues to heal well. I really wish everyone all the best if you are or have to go through it xx