iVillage logo
Search iVillage
Pregnancy
Parenting
Health
Diet & Fitness
Beauty & Fashion
Relationships
Home & Garden
Food & Drink
Work & Money
Entertainment
Horoscopes
Travel
Health  
  |  Experts  |  Ask the Doctor  |  Nipple cysts
Advertisement
Topics
Women's Health
General Health
Natural Health
Healthy Living
Community
Conditions
Diet & Fitness
iVillage shopping

Hot stuff
Get your 3-a-day
Food intolerance
Be Bikini Beautiful
Competitions
Baby development tracker
Embarrassing ailments
Special offers
Best diet foods
Snack swapper
Hair remedy tool
Diets A-Z
Newsletters
sign up for FREE!




 
Promotions
Lose weight today
Get a personal diet plan
Finger lickin' good
Some surprising facts from the Colonel

Nipple cysts

by Dr Sarah Brewer

question
Last year, I started having severe breast pain and found a cyst on my nipple. My nipple had partially collapsed as well. I immediately saw an oncologist who sent me for a mammogram and then an ultrasound. They discovered several cysts. He then told me to give up caffeine and smoking, but two weeks later another cyst appeared on my nipple along with stabbing pain. The oncologist removed the cyst and the lump (both were benign) later that week. Seven weeks later, I started having more sharp pains in my breast, arm and armpit. I discussed this with my oncologist, and he said that my only option would be to have a mastectomy because it is affecting everything I do and the pain is not going to go away. All along I have been very concerned about breast cancer. I know my body and I know something's not right, but it's such a drastic measure?

answer
I have not come across a problem such as this before, so it is difficult to advise. It does seem that a mastectomy is a drastic approach. Do discuss this with your GP and get them to refer you for a second opinion. They should be quite happy to do this, as you are so concerned. Although you haven't been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may find it helpful to talk to someone at Breast Cancer Care Helpline on 0808 800 6000 who might be able to advise you on what to do. Another option is to talk to a nurse at NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
iVillage TV - Health zone

View video in larger player
Delicious     Digg     reddit     Facebook     StumbleUpon