I haven't been here for awhile, it is a bit odd to take a step or 2 back and reflect on how certain areas of one's health have now improved and others are a work in progress.
I have a very strong family history of Cancer, including some personal history with melanoma, basal cell, (past) squamous (past) and I am currently undergoing several surgeries for squamous cell, as well as having had 2 previous breast biopsies of the left breast. The first I was told was precancerous, the second, totally benign. I have hashimoto's thyroiditis & lupus (or some other lupus-like auto-immune illness). I'm not really the basket case I appear in writing! (most days
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10 days ago my left nipple started to itch insanely, the sensation is like that I have the urge to pinch-pull at it. It is only the nipple, only the left breast. It is also leaking a clear, watery fluid at times. I am supposed to have yearly mammos due to my history, but I am off schedule. The last one was so incredibly painful for my left breast I was laid up on the couch with my arm supported by pillows and taking Rx pain killers for 2 weeks...so I have procrastinated. I've now scheduled the appointment for this coming Friday. I've scheduled it at a different hospital that has the reputation for not causing as much pain after the exam and will go pick up my previous records tomorrow to take with me.
I know I only have a couple of days to wait, but I am freaking out. Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms? Is it possible this could be squamous cell of the breast/nipple? I've tried putting Rx steroid cream, it offered no relief. The urge to 'itch' feels deep, but very localized to the nipple.
I haven't used any new soaps or detergents, wear a variety of bras and, I would think if it were somehow environmental it would affect both, not just one side.
Does anyone know---if this is some kind of cancer of the nipple, can mammography catch that? How effective is mammography? Both of my biopsies were insisted upon after a hands on examination, mammogram was skipped, I was sent straight to the surgeon.
Thank you all so much, be well...