Feeling Worried

I first noticed itching in my left breast towards the end of last year (December ish). I went to my GP who prescribed me a steroid cream and told me that it was probably eczema and that if it hadnt cleared up in the new year to return again and talk to her. 

 

I have since had flattening of this nipple, flaking of the skin on the nipple and sometimes a yellowish fluid that leaks from this nipple. 

 

I went back again in March time - although moisturisers and steroid cream help alleviate the dryness of the nipple but the itching of the breast will not leave. I spoke to my GP and she told me that it wasnt anything sinister as she couldnt feel any lumps and then prescribed me some Aveeno cream and said to just use that to keep it moisturised and to stop worrying. 

 

I then found a surface lump which i went to get checked out - new GP as mine is on maternity leave - she told me that the lump was a cyst but I mentioned to her the nipple symptons - she had a look and on that particular day it didnt look too bad - it changes day to day - but told me not to moisturise it and to come back in a few weeks for someone to have a look at it. 

 

I feel silly to keep returning but I know that something isnt right. The symptoms are on one breast only - the itching feels deep in my breast and the irritation to the nipple is on the nipple primarily and has only just recently starting spreading to the areola. 

 

I dont know what to do if GP tells me just to keep it moisturised or tells me to see how it goes - my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at 43 and so it is something that gives me a huge amount on anxiety. At what point would it be reasonable to send me to a breast clinic to have these symptoms investigated further? 

 

Anyone that can help me, please do… I’m driving myself mad… :( 

Hiya, Considering your mum has had breast cancer you should have been referred immediately! I know it’s more likely to be nothing sinister but your GP isn’t a breast specialist, I lost my mum to breast cancer and when I saw my GP about a lump she barely looked it and and just made me an urgent referal, Please go back and push to be seen at the breast clinic, they are the ones who can tell you exactly what is going on Xx Jo 

Jo is right ,go back to G.P and insist on a referral to Breast clinic even it is just to put your mind at rest ,very probably nothing to worry about but if you don’t get to the bottom of it you will just have that nagging anxiety in the back of your mind .Let us know how you get on.

Thank you both - I will ring in the morning and try and get an appointment tomorrow… Xx