Breastfeeding after biopsy

I have a biopsy on my left breast last May and the test result was normal. The doctor had insert a small metal in my breast. I am now preganant, baby due in July. Is it safe to breastfeed my baby after a biopsy?

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Yes it is safe to breastfeed after a biopsy. The small metal marker clip is made of a material that is inert. It is attached to the tissue, and will not affect the lactating capacity of the glands. Neither will it enter the milk ducts. However it is permanent and in future when you have a mammogram, the marker clip can be used to mark the previous biopsy area.

Lumps in breast after breastfeeding

Dear Doc, I have a 9 month old baby and I had breastfed her for around 8 months. Its been one month since my baby became reluctant to be breastfed. I now feel lumps and slight pain in both breasts which is on and off. When I try to pump or squeze my breasts hard, there is a thick and sticky milk which comes upto 20ml. When my baby was 1.5 months old, I had mastitis and abcess in my left breast, which was cleared by needle aspiration in KK hospital. I would like to know if the lumps i have now are malignant or will they go off after a while? pl advice.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Lumps that appear in the breast during weaning of breastfeeding is often related to residual milk trapped within the breast, or due to overactive lactating glands. The lumps can be painful if the residual milk becomes infected, just like an abscess you had, though usually not so severe as there is no ongoing production of milk. You should have an ultrasound to see what kind of lumps to they are, and to make sure it is not an incidental malignant lump. If it is residual milk it can be aspirated like before.

Pain over the nipples

hi doc. i have a prob since last few days. i feel pain on my nipples… even not that pain. and nothing discharge from the nipples but the pain still remains… honest i’m quite worry… is that common to happen to a teenager or like me 20… can i know what actually can cause pain to the nipples….. thank you..

 

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

It is quite common and normal to have mild pain over the nipples. It is usually transient, lasting just a few minutes but occur repeatedly, and often on both sides. At your age it is unlikely to be anything serious. These pain sensations are often related to hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual cycle. If the pain is severe or does not go away, it is advisable to see a doctor to have in checked out just in case.

Cream for eczema

I have eczema on my legs and breasts very severly. I am only barely a teen, and have had eczema ever since I was very tiny. It started appearing on my right breast in August 2007 and is driving me crazy! The doctor told me to use Vaseline and to keep it simple. But that’s not working! So I’m now using a Eucerin product which is the same type of substance as Vaseline but still doesn’t do me any good. Can I have some recommendations on what to put on it?

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Eczema is due to an allergic condition and responds best to steroid cream. Ask your doctor for a prescription for a low concentration steroid cream such as hydrocortisone and the eczema should improve within a week. If the eczema is weepy or crusting, you may also need a simple dressing to encourage the area to heal.

Nipple discharge in pregnancy

Hi Doc, recently i notice there is a discharge on my nipple, only when my husband press my breast. is it due to pregnant? as we have been trying for a baby these 2 months. we also can’t think of anything, as this had not happen to me before. pls advise

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

It is normal to develop a small amount of discharge during pregnancy, although it is more common during the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy and usually occurs on both breasts. If the discharge is persistent, and occurs only on 1 breast, it is advisable to see your family doctor to have it checked out first.

Biopsy for cysts

Dear Doc, since the doctors found out I have four little cysts in my left breast, they send me to a surgeon. I asked for a biopsy, and the surgeon ordered a MRI. After the results, my surgeon told me that everything looked normal, and he is not going to perform a biopsy because the cysts are very small about 2.5 to 5.5 mm. He told me he wants another MRI in six months, and then we can talk again about a biopsy if it is necessary. My questions are : Is this a normal procedure? How big cysts must be to perform a biopsy? Should I get a second opinion?

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

It is common to have multiple tiny cysts in both breasts, and they form part of fibrocystic change, which is quite normal in women in premenopausal women. MRI of the breasts is very sensitive for picking up serious conditions in the breast such as cancer, so if it is normal the cysts are likely simply part of fibrocystic change. Biopsy of the cysts are usually only performed if the cyst is large and can be felt (usually more than 2cm), or if the cyst is unusual in appearance.

Breast lump with lymph node

I went to my GP with a lump in my left breast, which had been there for 2 menstrual cycles, he advised that this was probably just a gland/duct, but found some irregular breast tissue in my breast, and also an enlarged lymph node in my left armpit, after a thorough examination of both breasts, he felt that there is some irregularity to the right side and a smaller lymph node in my right armpit. He wants to do nothing now, but for me to come back for a check in 3 months, I really just want to know is this ok? Have I anything to worry about? Is 3 months too long? or should I just trust that the GP knows what he’s doing? I would really appreciate some advice, thank you.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

A breast lump or irregularity associated with an enlarged lymph node is always a significant concern. While it is common to have ”irregularity” or nodularity in the breast due to fibrocystic change, these benign changes are not associated with any lymph node enlargement.  However, it is also unusual to have lymph node enlargement on both sides. If the symptoms have already been present over 2 menstrual cycles without any evidence of resolution, you should have a mammogram and ultrasound of the breast and both armpit areas for further evaluation.

Discharge from the nipples

I had given birth to my son in August 2006 and had breastfed my son around 1 year. During the period of breastfeeding, my two breasts were infected one after another. I had stopped breastfeeding since August 2007. My breasts seem to have problem. Sometimes I feel slight pain on my breasts, but the pain will go off afterwards. In May 2008, the pain on my left breast recurs. It is more painful when I press on it. When I try to squeeze my nipple on the left breast, I notice that there is milky and oily discharge. I can only see the oily discharge when I squeeze my right nipple. Pls advise what may go wrong to my breasts. Possibly cancer? Thanks alot.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Discharge, if occuring in both breasts, is usually physiological or due to a benign general change in the breast tissue, such as fibrocystic change or ductal ectasia. Milky discharge is harmless, and may persist for a long time especially if you breastfed your child for more than 6 months. Oily discharge is a little non descript. If the discharge is occuring from a single external opening on the nipple, or if the colour is bloody or clear, it should be further investigated with a mammogram and ultrasound to exclude a tumour. In the large majority of cases, nipple discharge is due to benign causes. However occasionally a very small or early cancer may be the cause of nipple discharge and a small surgery may be necessary for diagnosis as the cancer may even be too early to be picked up on mammogram or ultrasound.

Sensitive and painful nipples

helo doc i wanted to know is it normal to have senstive and pain in nipples when on your periods i am on my 5th day and it started days back before also and also on the nipple area its like when you scratch your skin like i did on the nipple to see if it was dry skin so applied lotion it looks fine is it bad if it happens again as i saw it a week before my periods is it harmone related all these as i am 36yrs pls help they are no lumps or anything like that shld i get a mammogram done pls help thanks alot

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

It is common to have pain over the nipples during the time before your periods and it generally will subside when the period arrives. This is often also associated with pain in the rest of the breasts, a sense of engorgement, heaviness or fullness, and increased lumpiness. These symptoms are considered normal and part of premenstrual syndrome. Your symptoms are not worrisome, but if they persist even when your period is over, then you should get a mammogram and ultrasound to have it checked out, just in case.

Nipple pain with discharge

Dear doctor,
Does nipple pain accompanied with discharge due to nipple abrasion and having armpit pain at the same time means something serious? Do mammogram help to make diagnosis? What could be the cause, investigation and treatment?

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Nipple abrasion with discharge can be due to eczema which is quite common. However, eczema usually occus on both sides and should heal with topical steroid cream although it often recurs again. If it is due to eczema, mammogram and ultrasound help to exclude other causes of the nipple discharge. Pain is typically not a significant symptom to worry about. However, any non healing nipple abrasion raises the possibility of Paget’s disease of the nipple, which is actually a very early form of cancer. Paget’s disease may or may not be associated with discharge, and the cancer can be so early that the mammogram and ultrasound can also be normal. It can be diagnosed with a biopsy. Armpit pain, again, is also usually associated with cyclical hormonal changes in the body. However if it is associated with a lump that can be felt, then it could signify a swollen lymph gland and this should be further investigated. If your abrasion is non healing despite topical creams from your GP, see a breast specialist for an opinion.