Which Type of Breast Cancer Is Associated With Nipple Discharge?
When medical professionals refer to nipple discharge, they are referring to fluid leaking out of a nipple of a non-lactating woman. This does not always mean cancer. According to a study done by The Royal College of Surgeons of England, listed in the Annals on the National Institute of Health website, "Nipple discharge alone is not usually a sign of breast cancer." Usually it is accompanied by a mass, which is detected through a mammogram. However, one type of breast cancer is associated with nipple discharge.
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DCIS
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When cells become abnormal and invade the milk ducts, a form of cancer called Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) forms. Although this type of cancer is not life threatening, it should be treated. If left untouched, it can develop into full blown breast cancer.
Characteristics
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Nipple discharge can be a wide variety of colors. The colors range from milk-like, green, yellow, and brown to bloody. The texture of the discharge is either watery and thin or sticky and thick.
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Symptoms
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Other than nipple discharge, a woman may have no other symptoms to inform her of the pending cancer. Usually, the only way this type of breast cancer is detected is through a routine mammogram. In this test a physician can detect calcium deposits. These deposits indicate that cancer is either there or beginning to grow.
Causes
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The exact cause of this type of breast cancer is not known. However, researchers are studying whether, environment, hormones, or genetic involvement are to blame. Risk factors include, history of breast cancer in the woman's family, becoming pregnant after 30 or not ever becoming pregnant, and being older.
Medical Attention
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According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), women age 40 and older should have mammograms every one to two years. Women under age 40 may need mammograms every year if they are in high risk categories. In addition to routine mammograms, women should perform breast exams regularly and report any changes to their physicians.
Reading the Mammogram
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The radiologists who, reads your mammograms will search for white spots and shadows that may appear. If this occurs, a biopsy of the area will be done for further evaluation. One of several biopsy procedures may be done. They are core needle, stereotactic, and surgical.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons.org
