What Color Is Breast Cancer Discharge?

Noticing discharge from your nipple can be alarming, especially if you’ve never had it before or the discharge has changed in some way. While it’s true that discharge can be a symptom of breast cancer, it rarely is. In most cases, it can be attributed to other causes. Consequently, understanding its characteristics, in particular, its color, can help you determine what to do next.

Of course, if you’re at all uncertain about the cause of your breast discharge, you should talk with your healthcare provider.

This article provides insight into the potential causes of different colors of breast discharge.

Does a Specific Color of Nipple Discharge Indicate Cancer?

It’s crucial to understand that the color of nipple discharge can’t be used to diagnose or rule out cancer or any health issue definitively. The color of the fluid is just one piece of the puzzle.

Breast discharge can be bloody, pink, clear, white, yellow, green or brown. Bloody (red) and pink discharge are the colors most commonly associated with breast cancer, but, again, having it doesn’t necessarily mean you have the disease.

What Different Breast Discharge Colors Might Mean

Bloody (Red or Pink) Discharge

Breast discharge that’s red or pink from blood most frequently raises concerns about cancer. However, blood can also be present due to other non-cancerous conditions, such as intraductal papillomas (small growths in a milk duct) or duct ectasia (widening of a milk duct). Trauma to the breast can also lead to red or pink discharge.

Clear Discharge

Clear breast discharge is often benign but can be associated with breast cancer. It's more concerning if it's spontaneous (occurs without squeezing or stimulation) and comes from only one breast or one duct opening.

White Discharge

Milky white breast discharge (called galactorrhea) is common and often related to hormonal changes, pregnancy, breastfeeding or taking certain medications. It's usually not a sign of cancer.

Yellow Discharge

Yellow breast discharge is often indicative of pus from an infection like mastitis or a breast abscess.

Green Discharge

Greenish breast discharge can be a sign of common and benign fibrocystic changes in the breast, or it can be associated with duct ectasia.

Brown Discharge

Brown breast discharge tends to be caused by the same conditions as green discharge.

Other Considerations About Breast Discharge

Beyond the color of breast discharge, healthcare providers consider other factors when determining a cause. For example, discharge from one breast rather than both is typically more concerning.

Spontaneous discharge is generally more of a reason for further examination than expressed discharge. Also, discharge from a single duct opening in a nipple is more suspicious than from multiple ducts, and the consistency of the discharge (water, thick, sticky, etc.) is a factor that healthcare providers consider.

When to See Your Healthcare Provider About Breast Discharge

Being proactive about breast health is essential. You should talk with your healthcare provider if you experience any new, unusual or persistent discharge from a nipple. That’s especially true if you experience any other symptoms, like a breast lump, skin changes or nipple changes.

You can find a provider in our online directory if you don’t have one.

Next Steps and Helpful Resources

Learn More About Cancer Care at Baptist Health
Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer
What Does Breast Cancer Look Like?
Breast Cancer and Exercise: Can Working Out Lower Your Risk?