Is this normal? 10 breast issues you might be concerned about

Breasts are curious beasts and no two are the same. As your body develops, it can be embarrassing to admit that you’re worried you might be different to all your friends.

Here is a selection of issues you may be concerned about, many of which are far more common than you’d think…

Size and/or colour of areola

The areola is the ring of pigmented skin directly surrounding your nipple, and it’s purpose is to shield all the delicate nerve endings underneath from the outside world. The size can vary dramatically from woman to woman, with some whose areolas are barely visible, while others can cover almost their entire breast. Both extremes are completely normal and nothing to worry about. Likewise, the colour of your areola is usually darker than the surrounding skin, but it’s quite common to have a pale areola, and in some rare cases, it might even be lighter than the rest of your skin.

Montgomery glands

These are sebaceous glands responsible for secreting tiny amounts of sebum that help moisturise your areolas and keep them nice and soft. The tiny bumps that are visible around your areolas are known as Montgomery’s tubercles and are more noticeable in some women than others. Typically they become more pronounced during pregnancy. Montgomery glands of varying sizes and amounts are all perfectly normal.

Inverted nipples

An inverted nipple looks as if it’s been tucked back inside itself, either like a small dimple or a horizontal line where the nipple should be. Approximately 10-20% of all women have nipples just like this. Inverted nipples can be normal for many women, but if you notice that what once stuck out now folds in, it’s probably worth seeing your GP for a check up, as breast and nipple changes can be a sign that something is wrong. It’s usually perfectly possible to breastfeed with inverted nipples, although it might initially be a little trickier than normal.

Nipple discharge

Occasionally you might notice a small stain on the inside of your bra. Believe it or not, even when you’re not breastfeeding, your milk glands are still active and sometimes secrete a small amount of fluid, which discharges itself through your nipple. This is characteristically clear, or slightly yellow in colour. Again, as nipple discharge can sometimes be a sign of cancerous changes, it’s advisable to check with your doctor that everything seems to be in order, and certainly if you ever notice blood in the discharge, bring it to her attention.

Uneven breasts

Few women are blessed with perfect symmetry and it’s very common indeed for one breast to be bigger than the other, just as our feet are often different sizes. Usually, once you’re wearing a bra and clothes, no one would notice the difference, although it’s understandable that you might be concerned about your appearance in a more intimate setting. There is nothing you can do until your breasts are fully developed, but in more pronounced cases women sometimes seek breast enhancement surgery to even the score.

Hair

Hair is perfectly normal on all parts of the body, including our breasts! Some people find they grow individual dark hairs around their areolas, while other grow a fine down in the middle of their chests, between their breasts. If you have a lot of hair and you’re genuinely worried, then the best thing to do is speak to your doctor, as you may have a hormonal imbalance that can be dealt with by medication. To remove individual hairs from your nipples you can either pluck them, or snip them carefully with scissors – don’t shave as this could scrape the delicate skin of your areola. Laser hair removal is a more expensive option but should guarantee no regrowth on a permanent basis.

Extra nipples

Third nipples are relatively uncommon – only about one to five people out of one hundred will have them, and actually they occur far more in males than in females. Most typically the result of a development hiccup in utero and appearing just below the left breast, the extra nipple may be so small or insignificant that it’s more like a mole or birthmark, and is hardly noticeable. Sometimes it even takes a doctor to point it out to you! Rarely, third nipples can also occur along the mammary ridge between your armpits and your thighs, and some have even been found on the soles of the foot. Unless the extra nipple makes you feel embarrassed, it’s perfectly fine to leave it as it is. In the event you do feel self-conscious about it, then it’s just as easy to remove as an unwanted mole.

Accessory breasts

Accessory breasts (also known as also known as polymastia, supernumerary breasts, multiple breast syndrome or mammae erraticae) are instances of breast tissue appearing elsewhere on the body, either with or without an extra nipple. This condition doesn’t usually appear until adolescence and is actually more common in men than in women. During the centuries of witch-hunts, accessory breasts and third nipples were deemed ‘Devil’s marks’ as the purpose of the third breast was assumed to be to suckle the devil. Unlucky women found with these marks were suspected of witchcraft and tortured or killed. These days the condition can be easily fixed with minor surgery.

Tubular breasts

Tubular or tuberous breasts can occur as a by-product of a congenital abnormality, and typically resemble breasts that are missing the usual amount of breast tissue behind the nipple. They can appear simply as enlarged or elongated nipples with no breast mound behind them, or alternatively stick out a little further with the tissue forming a tubular, rather than rounded shape. There is often noticeably wide spacing between nipples, and the areolae themselves can be puffy.

Although this condition is not harmful and will not affect a woman’s fertility, it may be difficult or impossible for her to breastfeed, as the glands underneath have not developed enough to produce breast milk. Corrective surgery is available for women who find the appearance unacceptable.

Breast lumps

Throughout a woman’s life it is likely that she will find a lump or two that are non-cancerous. These fibrocystic breast changes affect between 30-60% of women and at least 50% of women of childbearing age. Symptoms often reduce significantly after the menopause. The reason behind the lumps is usually hormonal and linked to the menstrual cycle, and they can sometimes be sore and inflamed, causing discomfort, aching and tenderness. Let’s Talk Breasts recommends that you check your breasts regularly for lumps and any other changes such as skin puckering or unusual rashes, and check out anything abnormal with your GP. If your GP has the slightest concern that your fibrocystic changes might be linked to breast cancer, you will be referred to a breast clinic for further investigation.