Have a concern- is it GP worthy?

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Hi, I hope you’re all doing okay! I’m going to go by the name Lou and I’m 19 years old, female. I have had some concerns about one of my breasts but I’m not too sure if I should go to the GP to get it checked if it’s serious enough because my GP aren’t that good and haven’t taking me seriously in the past and I don’t want to waste my time. Basically, about a month ago I started to notice some crusting in a circle around the pointing bit of my nipple, and the crusting can be clear or yellow and no matter how much moisturiser I use, it still is there, even after I shower. I also then noticed that the around pointy part of my nipple, the top part of it swells, goes down, swells, go down and it will swell around once a day I’d say since I’ve been keeping an eye on it. My nipple has been itchy and it has also changed to an oval shape and it also looks slightly flatter than my other nipple. My other nipple is smooth and round with no crusting. Sometimes it swells to the point it looks like I’ve got a pea right next to the pointy part of my nipple.

I know these are only small things, but where I am studying healthcare for nursing and I learn about all these things sometimes I get anxious and I know that changes to one nipple can sometimes be concerning but we know how women’s bodies are, sometimes they just do weird stuff for the sake of it, are these things GP worthy?? I’m worried I’ll waste their time!

Thank you for reading :slight_smile:

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Hi @loulou1231

You sound like a switched on young lady and wouldn’t be asking if you weren’t concerned. Every concern should be dealt with no matter what your age. I remember going to my GP when I was very young with breast pain, the GP referred me to the breast team at the hospital and I was seen by the consultant. It turned out to be something quite normal. The main thing is to be seen by a professional so do go to your GP, do ask for a referral under the 2 week rule. If they refuse maybe ask them how they would feel if you were their daughter asking for help and refused. Hopefully you will get your appointment and have your concerns put to rest. There’s other ailments that can cause breast symptoms the breast expert will know, remember not everything is cancer.

Good luck getting sorted xxx

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Hi, it is never wasting your GP’s time if you have a medical concern, that is what they are there for. You need to get checked out in order to stop you worrying about the changes to your breast. It may be nothing but it is only a doctor and tests that can make a diagnosis. Hope that helps

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@loulou1231 Welcome to the forum, we are all here for you, I completely agree with @Ahbc21 and @Lizaki please contact you GP to put your mind as rest.

Fingers crossed for a good outcome, with lots of happiness ahead.

With the biggest hugs my brave girl. Love Tili :rainbow::folded_hands::rainbow::folded_hands:

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Hi, thank you for replying I really appreciate the things that you’ve said! I’ll book a GP appointment and update you, I know it might not be cancer I’ve just always been told any changes should be checked especially in one breast but I’m just worried it’s not serious enough for my GP, thank you for your words!! :heart_hands:

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Hi loulou1231,

Thanks for posting.

It’s understandable that you’re worried about changes you’ve noticed and about seeing your GP, especially given your experience with not being taken seriously by them in the past. However, as @Ahbc21, @Lizaki and @Tili have said, you can check this out with someone like your GP or a practice nurse (nurse based at the GP practice). In most practices they can offer you the opportunity of seeing a female GP.

Your breasts and nipples can change for many reasons. These changes may be part of normal development, hormonal changes as part of your monthly cycle (if you have periods) or due to benign conditions (not cancer). You’ll probably find your breasts change quite a bit throughout your life.

The crusting you’ve noticed might be nipple discharge, it may be due to skin irritation (dermatitis), or a normal variation in one of your Montgomery glands. Montgomery glands are small circular lumps on the areola, the darker skin around the nipple. These are a type of sweat gland, which also get larger during pregnancy. Occasionally a cyst may form in the gland, but treatment is rarely necessary.

You might find some helpful information about how to check your breasts, pictures of different nipple shapes and sizes and what changes to look out for on the website CoppaFeel.

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Tiggy

Breast Care Nurse

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