There are a number of causes of fluid leaking (discharge) from the nipple. Most of these are completely benign but sometimes the problem may be due to an underlying cancer in the breast. This can happen even if you cannot feel a lump in the breast itself. Although there are other causes for discharges from the nipple if there is a cancer it is important to get it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. So you should never ignore a discharge from your nipple, or just wait to see if it stops and things go back to normal.

This means that you should go to see your family doctor immediately so that he or she can take all the details and give you a proper examination.

For women who have a blood stained or blood containing nipple discharge but no lump, only 1 in 20 have an underlying cancer: mostly this is due to a benign condition. The Department of Health has issued clear guidelines to general practitioners about women who come to them with discharges from the nipple. These say that GPs should arrange an appointment with a specialist in breast disease for anyone who is over 50 and comes with a nipple discharge or if you have discharge from both nipples that stains clothes, or blood stained discharge from either nipple, and you are under 50.

When the breast specialist sees you he or she will usually do a careful physical examination of your breast and a mammogram (an x-ray of your breast). If they find a lump in the breast, or if this shows up on the mammogram then they will also do a biopsy. The biopsy uses a needle to take a tiny sample of tissue from the lump so that it can be looked at under the microscope. In most breast clinics the results of these tests will be back the same day, so you will know almost immediately if there is a cancer there.

Do remember that these days breast cancer is a very curable condition, especially if it is caught early, so if you do notice a discharge from one, or both, of your nipples don't delay - go to your doctor straight away!