Is This Breast Cancer Or An Infection From The Piercing Sight?

Posted on Wed, 16 Dec 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 Answered on

Tue, 8 Apr 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : HI. I got nipple piercings a few years ago. Since then I have taken them out (over a year ago) and since then I have experienced discharge when I squeeze the areas where the barbell piercing used to be. Today, my nipples looked a little irritated near the piercing sight and when I squeezed the nipple I felt a pop and bloody discharge came out of my nipple, not the piercing sight. Is this breast cancer or an infection from the piercing sight?

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not much possible to be cancer at 21 years old

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Seeing your age, it is more likely to be an infection/ inflammation from the piercing. Cancer probability is almost zero in your age.

I would say do not squeeze the area there because you may make the wound bigger and push bacteria inside the breast risking a breast infection. You can apply a local antibiotic for 1 week 3-4 times per day. Muporicin can be an alternative.

If worse and not better in 2 weeks consider doing an ultrasound of the breasts to check what is going on. I don't think it is Cancer but can be a cyst liking. But to tell definitely it is not cancer can be done only by mamografi plus biopsy.

Hope this is helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Kind regards, Dr. Klarida Papaqako, General and Family physician.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng