Other non-cancerous breast changes

Nipple discharge is fluid that comes from the nipple when you’re not breastfeeding. There are many possible causes, and most are not breast cancer. 

Discharge that happens when the nipple is squeezed, comes from both breasts or from more than one opening in the nipple is more likely to have a non-cancerous cause. It may be creamy, brown, green or another colour. 

See a GP if you notice new nipple discharge, particularly if it:

• Happens without squeezing the nipple
• Comes from one breast or one opening in the nipple
• Is clear or blood-stained.

These types of nipple discharge can have non-cancerous causes too, but should be checked. 

A milky discharge when you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding is called galactorrhoea. It can happen when your body produces too much prolactin, the hormone involved in producing breast milk. This can be caused by some medicines or by health conditions that affect hormone levels. Your doctor may recommend blood test to help find the cause.

Eczema can affect the areola (the darker skin around the nipple) and sometimes spread to the nipple. It can cause dry, itchy, red or irritated skin. 

Eczema can usually be treated with a corticosteroid cream. If treatment isn’t helping, or the skin change on your nipple persists or gets worse, see a GP. They may refer you to a breast clinic for further tests. 

This is important because persistent changes to the nipple can sometimes be caused by Paget’s disease of the breast, a rare type of breast cancer.

Gynaecomastia is an increase in breast gland tissue in boys and men. It can affect one or both breasts and may sometimes cause tenderness or discomfort. 

It is usually caused by changes in the balance of hormones and is particularly common during puberty and later in life. In teenagers, it often goes away as hormone levels settle. 

Gynaecomastia can also be caused by some medicines or health conditions. It you develop new breast swelling or another breast change, see a GP so they can check what is causing it.

Some people are born with an extra nipple or extra breast tissue. These changes develop before birth and can occur in both women and men.

An extra nipple is usually small and can sometimes look like a mole. It can occur anywhere along a line from the underarm towards the groin, although it is most commonly found around the breast or chest area. Most extra nipples don’t cause any problems or need treatment.

Extra breast tissue is most often found in the underarm area. Like other breast tissue, it can change in response to hormones, so it may become more noticeable during puberty, pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Breast conditions can develop in this tissue just as they can in other breast tissue.

If you notice a new or unusual change in extra breast tissue, get it checked by a GP.