Doc appt. tomorrow morning. I'm scared.

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Dave27
Dave27 Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in Male Breast Cancer

Hello, 

I'm not sure what i'm looking for here. Information, reassurance,  someone to say, "nah, you're crazy!"

For the last 4 or 5 months I've been seeing a discharge of white fluid from my right nipple. It first started with an uncomfortable pressure feeling. When I squeezed the nipple the fluid came out. I've been looking online and I see all of the worst case scenarios. 

I finally got up the nerve to tell my wife a few min. ago and I just made a doctor appt. for tomorrow.  

Has anyone gone through this? Maybe i'm scaring myself by asking on a cancer forum. I'm sure there's not a lot of people here that found, after tests, that it was just an infection, or a fatty tumor. 

Comments

  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited October 2008

    Hang in there Dave.  It's good that you've addressed the problem.  A (male) friend of ours had discharge too and it turned out to be ok.  Sorry, I can't remember what caused his problem but it was not cancer.  Good luck with your appt. tomorrow.

  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited October 2008

    Hi Dave - I just want to say how sorry I am that you're frightened - but you came to the right place for reassurances and answers to your questions. Yes you will find very scary things online - but the information helps you to ask the right questions of your doctor. So don't let fear freeze your mind.........I like to say "all we have to fear is fear itself". Try to take a deep breath and relax and read about all the benign things that could cause your symptoms. You will be fine - and other people here will respond soon! Hang in there - and be sure to come back tomorrow after you see your doctor.

  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited October 2008

    Good luck at your appt tomorrow.  Just wanted to state too, that more times than not, this stuff is something B9, and normal changes the breast tissue goes through.  Thankfully you are a man, that pays attention to his entire body and did not overlook a possible problem.  Hopefully by tomorrow afternoon, you'll be home and thankful that it was nothing!  Prayers that comes true for you!

  • Dave27
    Dave27 Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2008

    Thanks everyone. Your comments do help. I guess sometimes it helps to feel like you have people in your corner!

    Good or bad, I would love to know that I would know for sure tomorrow. Will I find out that quick or will it be a "this doctor takes a look and sends you to this doctor who sends you for blood work who then schedules a biopsy which takes 2 weeks to come back"...type of thing?

  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited October 2008

    Did not want to appear as I was ignoring this, after commenting, but having no experience with nipple discharge without a lump, I really can't guess what your doc would do tomrorow.  Possible a mammo maybe?  Sorry I can't help, but maybe someone who's had this problem will come by to help soon!  let us kwow what you do find out, k?  It helps to help others searching for answers...again...good luck tomorrow!

  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited October 2008

    Dave it all depends on the doctor that you're seeing tomorrow. Is he your PCP or a breast specialist? Either way, testing isn't something to fear - it'll relieve the "unknowing" feeling in your mind. You may end up going for an MRI (not sure if they can give men mammo's) - but perhaps a blood test will show that you just have an infection. Like I tell my daughters, try not to tie the hands of your doctor because of your own impatience or fear. The tools they need to make an accurate diagnosis are for their choosing..............and really, if your doctor shows the slightest hesitation about what's wrong with your breast - ASK him if you can get an MRI or another test to help him decide. Don't just accept a "let's wait and see" approach - again, unless the doctor is absolutely SURE it's only an infection. One thing I've learned over the years (especially with taking my kids to the doctor) - you MUST be an advocate for your own health. So many doctors only "see" what their specialty and your insurance-alloted-time allows them to see. Have your list of questions ready - and be fearless - and be strong. I hope your wife will be able to go with you. It helps to have a second person there to interpret what the doctors is saying. Good luck - and I'll be thinking about your tomorrow.

  • Dave27
    Dave27 Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2008

    Thanks for all of the tips and support....I guess I'll let you know tomorrow.

  • Kimberly903
    Kimberly903 Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2008

    My thoughts and prayers are with you.  It's scary - believe me.... I KNOW.  I'm scared every day that my cancer will come back somewhere else (just finished radiation at the end of July) 

    Don't keep anything from your wife.  I try to shield my family from everything I am going thru (and have gone thru).  Use this time to grow closer.  You'll need her support if this turns out to be more than "an infection". 

     STAY STRONG....

  • Dave27
    Dave27 Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2008

    Thanks Again everyone. 

    I just got back from the appointment. The doctor felt around my chest and said that he didn't feel anything and that in the 30 years he'd been a Dr. he'd only seen breast cancer 5 times in men. He said that it's most likely mastitis and prescribed an antibiotic. I guess I'm a little relieved...but I don't want to just assume he's right yet. Fingers crossed....I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks for the prayers. I have prayed for all of you as well.   

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2008

    I hope that the doctor is right, and the antibiotic clears everything up.  Please do keep us posted.  We always love to hear about good outcomes!

  • Kimberly903
    Kimberly903 Member Posts: 6
    edited October 2008

    See.  You worried for nothing.  I'm glad things turned out okay...

  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited October 2008

    I'm happy you got an antibiotic Dave - and pray it works for you! Stay in touch if you have time!

  • Larry44
    Larry44 Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2008

    Dave,

    Breast cancer in men is rare, about 1 man in 100,000 is diagnosed with it every year.   However, we can get it.   I'm living proof of that.  It is good that you are aware of changes in your body and decided to seek medical care.

  • AnnNYC
    AnnNYC Member Posts: 4,484
    edited February 2010

    I reported himashechamiya's post as spam. The spam is at the end (don't click on the links!).  The rest was copied verbatim from wishiwere's and Swimangel's responses to the OP back in October of 2008.

  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited February 2010

    also reported post.

    Leah

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