Can a pinching pain in the nipple be indicative of inflammatory breast cancer?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have had a pinching pain in my right nipple area for over a week. It happens if I rub my nipple in a certain way or if something hits it. So I searched online, and IBC (inflammatory breast cancer) came up in the search, and I panicked. Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. I do not think there is anything to worry about. While rubbing, the pinched pain in the nipple area looks like a benign nipple problem. It has no connection with inflammatory breast cancer; usually, inflammatory breast cancer means more than 60 percent of the breast is swollen and red and is proven by biopsy. You have not sent full details related to nipple pain. Please answer the following questions.

1) Is there any nipple discharges or breast skin changes seen?

2) Is there any axillary swelling?

3) Are there any palpable nodules under the nipple while pressing the nipple or the whole breast?

4) Do you have any family history of breast or ovarian cancer?

5) What are your age and profession?

If possible, send a picture of the affected nipple. After all these details I will be able to give you more advice. But currently, it looks like a benign pathology, and there is nothing to worry about.

Some risk factors for developing breast cancer, as mentioned below, may put a woman at risk. So if any woman has any one of these risk factors, she needs to enroll in a breast screening program in the nearby clinic. The major risk factors for developing breast cancer are

1) Family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

2) Obesity.

3) Certain genetic syndromes.

4) Any previous breast lump that was excised.

5) Underwent hormone replacement therapy.

6) History of estrogen intake.

There is nothing to worry about as of now.

Just send me more details, as I have mentioned above, and a picture of the affected breast.

I will be able to give you more suggestions and advice based on that.

I wish you a long, happy and healthy life.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Everything looks normal, and there is nothing to worry about. The pain will go away. But it is recommended to do a screening mammogram at the age of 40. Also, I would advise you to learn how to do a self-breast examination and do it once every month.

I hope this helps.