Bleeding Breast and Negative Imaging

rollerbe

I am 62 years old and about a month ago, I noticed my left breast was dripping blood from the nipple area very much like it would drip milk when breastfeeding. Nothing was painful on the outside of the breast but I did feel a single sharp pain inside the breast right before it started. I thought it was the only incident but as I looked back I recalled a couple of different times when I woke up with blood on the sheets and I wondered if it had bled before so I was concerned. After consulting with my primary care physician she ordered a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound. When nothing suspicious showed up on these tests, she ordered a breast mri. Still nothing showed up - no cancer and no papillomas or other suspicious findings. I'm obviously glad about that but also kind of worried because I can find no other reason for bleeding like that of one breast at my age. I am following up with my doctor next week to do some bloodwork but I wondered if anyone ever had negative imaging results and wound up finding something later. I do not want to keep doing tests but I also don't want to miss anything!

AliceBastable

I haven't had your type of problem, but I suggest insisting to your doctor that you really need to get to the bottom of this. If you need a referral, ask to see a breast specialist/surgeon. If you don't need the referral, you should be able to make the appointment yourself.

Messenger77

I had blood coming out of my nipple, inverted nipple, vascularity, pain and they still couldn’t find the cancer (mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, contrast MRI), until I insisted on a bilateral mastectomy. They ended up finding lots of DCIS throughout my left breast plus a HER2+ tumor that was hiding just behind that very nipple that was screaming “something is wrong!!” I knew then like I know again now that there’s cancer in there. I am in the middle of a recurrence after double mastectomy, chemo and Herceptin treatment. Always, ALWAYS listen to your body and be insistent. Better to be proactive than to let something slip by just because it “can’t be seen”. My all means of science and imaging, they should have seen a 3mm tumor AND the DCIS. Can be seen by the naked eye for Pete’s sake!

rollerbe

I so much appreciate your responses! Thank you for taking the time to respond! I agree it is wise to listen to your body but I was struggling with not finding any evidence with all the tests and whether to question whoever was reading the images. From what I hear I should probably continue to pursue some answers. I have a very encouraging primary care physician and I believe she will be helpful.

LivinLife

I sooo agree with the others on being persistent with follow up despite negative imaging....!