Discolouration in nipples and gp found a lump

Dear Juejue 27

Thank you for getting in touch with the Macmillan online community, my name is Pauline and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support line.

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling frightened. Finding symptoms that as yet, have not been explained can be really difficult to deal with.

Discolouration and/or lumps on the breast can be caused by a number of things, such as hormonal changes or skin conditions. However, they can also be a sign of breast cancer. That is why it is important to get checked over as soon as possible. So I am pleased to hear that you have been to your doctor and that they are having this investigated so promptly.

When the doctors are deciding who should be referred using the cancer pathway, they cannot tell who has cancer and who doesn’t, that’s why everyone with symptoms that could potentially be a cancer are referred in the same way.

It may be helpful to know that the majority of people who are referred in this way turn out to have something other than cancer causing the symptoms. Cancer Research estimates that 9 out of 10 people referred using the cancer pathway, do not have cancer.

For those who do have cancer, they are seen quickly and given the support and guidance they need which leads to a better chance of successful treatment.

You can read about what to expect at your breast clinic appointment following this link.

Please feel free to give us a call on our helpline, 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us if you would like to discuss further.

Ref PG/DW

Best Wishes

Thankyou for replying. I have been on the 2 week path way for other things and luckily was OK. I'm nearly 56 i should of maybe said that .I've got no skin conditions .I originally thought hormonal with discolouration but when she found the Lump it really shocked me and that scared me with 2 issues on that breast i just think is really alarming now and that's why I'm frightened .my appointment has come through for next Thursday so only 1 week of hell/worry till I know for sure .just i keep thinking to many issues with one breast or is it just coincidence? .

Hi Juejue 27

Thank you for getting back in touch with our Online Community.  My name is Tricia and I’m also one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists who works alongside Pauline on the Macmillan Support Line.

I am glad the response from my colleague was helpful. It sounds like you have experienced being on 2 week wait pathways in the past and it’s good that all has been satisfactory those times. I appreciate it doesn’t take away the worry each time of course.

Its understandable that you feel frightened as this can be the worst time with the fear of the unknown, and I imagine the next week will feel like forever waiting for that appointment. Do try and keep yourself as busy or distracted as you can if that is possible.

You will have everything explained to you and some tests carried out at the  breast clinic appointment  and you will hopefully get a better idea as to what might be going on and have a plan re timings of the final results.

The discolouration of the nipple and the finding of the lump may or may not be connected. It doesn’t automatically mean there is likely to be a worst outcome. Do feel you can ask questions and express your concerns at that appointment next week.

Waiting for scans and results  can be a difficult time and it may be possible to try to  ease worry when waiting for medical test results .

I hope you have some support from friends or family currently. It’s a good idea to take someone with you to the appointment if you can so you have someone else there to help understand information given and to provide some emotional support.

Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch at any time.

Sending best wishes,

Tricia
Macmillan Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref TT/LZD