Warning: The Embarrassing Bodies website contains images of an explicit medical nature and nudity in a medical context.

Click Continue to proceed or Back for other Channel 4 programmes about health and wellbeing.

Conditions

Breast Cancer

Microsopic slide of breast cancer cells in the lymph nodes (Photo courtesy of NCI)

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women in the UK. However, unbeknown to many, it is a cancer that also affects around 300 men each year as well (usually over the age of 60). Breast cancer is caused by the breasts cells multiplying and dividing too rapidly resulting in a lump or a thickened area of tissue in either breast, so it’s important to notice changes in the appearance, feel or shape of your breasts, as well as changes to the nipple, such as inversion, discharge or a rash on, or around, the nipple. Factors like: age, family history, being overweight or obese, alcohol and radiation can contribute to getting this condition. There are different types of breast cancer, but the most common is ductal breast cancer, which accounts for about 80% of all cases. Like all cancers, it’s possible for breast cancer to spread to other parts of the body if it remains untreated.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments are reviewed before they are published.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

hello, i am 16 and nearly 6 months ago noticed that it felt as though my breats tissue had pulled away from the nipple, i thought nothing of it. about 2 months ago i noticed green discharge pussing out of my right nipple from one pore. I went to the hospital,who put it down to my hormones and said it was an inflammation of the duct. they reffered me to my local GP who said it couldnt be hormonal as it would be excreting from both nipples. She swabbed my discharge and checked for lumps. She said the only other reason would be infection but was confused as there was no red patch or hot spot. 2 weeks later the results arrived and they came back "normal" (negative for infection). So my GP reffered me to a specialist who then yet again told me it was hormonal. To be sure an ultra sound was run and photographs were taken of my breast tissue. they told me they would contact me if there was a cause of concern and they would make me an appointment for 4 months time. This was on 29th October. since then the disscharge is still there, my nipple keeps inverting and i am having excruciating in my right rib and all across the front side. I keep telling my self that if there was something wrong the specialist would know but i have been told 2 different stories and am in great discomfort. should i get a second consultation? please help x

i have a lump on my armpit. it is just slightly bigger than pea sized and really hurts to touch more and more now. it sometimes extracts fluid and tonight it bled a little. i've been told it could be a cyst or boil or be due to blockage of sweat glands although i am worried it could be something more serious. i think i am still going to go to the doctors to have it checked out.
What do you think it could be?

My 12 year old son has just noticed that one of his nipples has a lump behind it. Do u know what it could be and what course of action should we take…? xxx

hi i am 24 years old and im am getting pains in my write bobb up through my arm pit it is tender to tuch and my bobb fells havy and tender towords the nipal i have got lots of little bobals around both but it is only my writ side playing up there is cremy whit liqied on the ends that gos hard and with is they are very sesrtive to tuch cancer funs in the famliy so i am very woried. i do smock and so do most of my famliy . i have been to my doctors about this and they dont seem to be woried unlike me .so a am looking for soom help and guidons.

Hello im 16 and I have a samll patch of dry skin it raised and is red around the outside, it is just about my nipple. I am really worried incase it is breast cancer please help me thank-you .

hey,
i am 18 and i have a really bad pain at the top of my left boob, it really hurts and im not sure what it is and i dont really want to go to the doctors because im too embarrased and scared.
please help me.

thank you.

Hi I have a liquid that comes out of the nipple and sometimes its clear sometimes white and sometimes Black/grey
what should I do

I had implants 7 years ago, over the muscle. I'm now 37 and I'm worried about breast cancer because when i examine my breasts, all I can feel is the implant and the ripples now that it is a few years old. I have searched the net for advice but there seems to be very little advice on the matter on self examination with implants which I'm really suprised at. Should I go to my doctor and ask for a scan or back to my surgeon?

hey..
i'm 16 and my best friend told me today tha she noticed a lump on one of her breasts, she aslo said her nipple had gotten smaller, and there is practically nothing left. She also old me that it sometimes pussed. i'm quite worried about her please help..

i have got discomfort on my boobs like the lower part and te outside of one of them. i don't want to say anything to my mum just incase it's nothing but it's quite soar, could you tell me what to do or somthing.




This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published - it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 were to need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don't swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines


Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here


Videos

  1. Dr Dawn Harper

    Dr Dawn Harper

    Find out more about Dr Dawn Harper

  2. Asymmetrical breasts examination

    Consultation: Asymmetrical Breasts

    Dr Dawn Harper examines a patient with asymmetrical breasts

  3. Breast Re-alignment

    Consultation: Breast Realignment

    Dr McKenna examines a patient who has reached the end of her tether with regard to her assymetric breasts.

  4. Breast Reconstruction

    Consultation: Breast Reconstruction

    Dr Jessen treats a breasts cancer survivor who wants to receive an implant to replace her breast that had to be…

  5. Consultation: Breast Reduction

    A patient comes to see Dr Harper with enormous 36JJ Breasts that are in need of a reduction.

  6. Man boobs

    Consultation: Gynaecomastia

    Dr Jessen treats a man who's rapid weight loss has left him with folds of extra skin, and pronounced man boobs.

  7. Prostate Cancer

    Consultation: Prostate Cancer

    Dr Jessen treats a patient whose Prostate Cancer has worsened in recent months and must now consider the remova…

  8. Breasts Response Video

    Doctor Responses: Breasts

    Dr Pixie answers your most frequently asked questions about breasts.

  9. Man Boobs Response Video

    Doctor Responses : Man Boobs

    Dr Christian answers your most frequently asked questions about man boobs (Gynaecomastia).

  10. Menopause

    Menopause: Don't Suffer in Silence

    Dr Pixie presents an exclusive guide to the menopause.

  11. how to check your breasts

    How To Check Your Breasts

    Dr Harper's guide to how to self check your boobs for breast cancer.

  12. how to check your vulva

    How To Check Your Vulva

    Dr Harper's guide to how to self-check your vulva against vulval cancer.

  13. Am I Normal - Breasts

    Am I Normal Breasts

    Dr Dawn Harper discusses breast development amongst teenage girls, explaining what is and isn't normal. Include…

  14. Am I Normal - Periods

    Am I Normal Periods

    Dr Dawn Harper discusses all matters relating to periods and what is and isn't normal. Includes discussions wit…


Advertisement