Nipple starting to retract ... worried

GeorgiaPeach24

Hi all .... I’m an anxious worrier so figured I’d come here for some conversation and support.

On Thursday I noticed my the top half of my left Nipple was starting to retract. Not fully inverted but looked deflated on the top half with a crease going through the middle of the nipple.

When it’s cold or upon stimulation the nipple pops out and looks completely normal. Have any of you experienced this? If it goes back to normal upon stimulation could it still be cancer? Breast otherwise feels normal ..: maybe a few twinges and tingles but knowing me that’s probably anxiety induced and in my head.

Any thoughts welcome

I’m 29 ... one month postpartum and did NOT breast feed ... had a breast reduction in 2011 ... maternal grandmother diagnosed with BC at 39. No other family history.

MelissaDallas

We cant guess. If you are concerned you should see your doctor

Aliceinchains

it is definitely best that you get an appointment and get things looked at. You can google “lemons and cancer” and it’ll show you things that warrant a persons visit to the doctor. Better to have it checked and it be nothing than to wait and it maybe turn into something.

Egads007

Hi GeorgiaPeach,

My bad, my original reply was mistakenly addressed to Melissa....I posted under duress lol....my apologies to both Georgiapeach and Melissa for the confusion!

Any changes in our breasts should always be checked out so you do need to have the doc take a peek. It very well could be related to being only a month postpartum. Keep in mind the stats, the numbers are on your side that it's nothing, but definitely for peace of mind get it checked out. Please let us know how things go

MelissaDallas

Egads, not sure why you are addressing this to me instead of original poster.??

Moderators

probably a mistake, Melissa.

All correct tips and suggestions above ^^ , GeorgiaPeach24.

KBeee

Changes are always stressful, but as the others said, it is best to get it checked out. If they say, "You're too young to get cancer," advocate for yourself to get imaging. Most likely this is benign, but you are wise to be aware of changes in your body and get them checked.

Recap

At my initial routine mammo I was asked, by the receptionist,the standard questionnaire, in the waiting room in front of other people... So I said no to inverted nipple. But then I turned back around and asked a question about just what an inverted nipple means?

IMO the question should be changed to simply: Have you noticed a change in your nipple?

I would have answered yes-it completely disappears during sleep to flat smooth skin, while the other nipple remains perky as always for all my many years.

What is important is that it is a change from what you consider normal for your nipple...

Receptionist left my questionnaire saying no, which resulted in subsequent appts where providers discounted my comments then because it said no on the questionnaire!

KBeee

Call them. Tell them you misunderstood the question and you'd like your questionnaire changed. Also tell them that personal questions such as these should never be done in the waiting room full of people.

I had a friend that had a similar experience with a receptionist. She's much quicker thinking on her feet than me. I'll reiterate the conversation here, in case it ever happens to you again.

Receptionist: Have you noticed changes in your breasts recently?

Friend: Excuse me?

Receptionist: repeats question.

Friend: Well yes, that's why I am here. Have you had diarrhea lately?

Receptionist: Excuse me???

Friend: I asked if you had diarrhea recently. Or other bowel problems.

Receptionist: That's not appropriate to ask.

Friend: It's not appropriate to ask me personal questions about my breasts in front of all of these people either

I had accompanied my friend to this appointment. I sat there with a shocked look, biting my tongue.

She was then taken to a private area to do the questionnaire.

Egads007

KBeee, omg, lol, that cracked me up! I can imagine your shock though, and possible embarrassment. Bet ya dollars to donuts this will be a permanent memory for you. Hope all was good in the end for your friend, and that the receptionist didn't actually suffer any bowel problems

Recap

ROFL!

(ps adding insult to injury a woman sitting waiting 6 feet away was filming us on her handheld when I turned around.)

GeorgiaPeach24

so I saw my gynecologist ... she did an exam and felt nothing. For now she said we keep any eye on it and should there be any changes she will send me for imaging.

She thinks a combination of my breast reduction (lots of scar tissue), two pregnancies, and recent breast engorgement from not breast feeding may be the culprits for a change in the nipple landscape.

Being that I’m anxious and worry about everything I don’t really love the sit and wait approach.

Egads007

Most likely your doctor is right, but I wholeheartedly agree about watching and waiting...go with your gut. In your place I’d call the doctor back and ask for the imaging to be done. I’d tell her it will be killing 2 birds with one stone - erring on the side of caution while doing wonders for your mental health.

KBeee

You also can ask for a second opinion. Some types of breast cancer cause nipple changes, or just a dimpling without a palpable lump. Your is most likely not one of those, but the lack of a palpable lump is NOT a reason to avoid imaging in the presence of nipple changes. Just my humble opinion. At any rate, with the scar tissue and all, it might be good to have a baseline of what's "normal" for you.

GeorgiaPeach24

called my doctor ... seeing a breast surgeon next week on the 27th. Sit and wait wasn’t gonna fly for me it’s all I can think about and have two babies at home who need an undistracted mommy!

Pray it’s nothing

Egads007

Atta’ girl...look at you go, doing the advocacy thing! I’m still pretty sure you’re going to be just fine, but I think it’s absolutely the right way to go about it and get yourself some definite answers, I’d do the same in your shoes. Lots of prayers and a big hug! Keep us posted please

KBeee

Good for you for advocating for yourself.