Inverted nipples can be a worry, especially since they are one of the most common signs of breast cancer in both men and women. The condition is characterized by the nipple retracting into the breast or lying flat on the breast. In breast cancer, inverted nipples occur when malignant cells invade the milk ducts. However, it is important to note that inverted nipples are not necessarily related to cancer, as they can also occur for other reasons.
Noncancerous Causes of Inverted Nipples
According to StatPearls Publishing, the prevalence of inverted nipples in the general population is between 10 and 20 percent. Research suggests that while the condition isn’t usually life-threatening, it can be “psychologically and physiologically damaging to the individual.”
Speaking to the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Garvit Chitkara, Senior Consultant, Breast Surgery, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai, said, “Inverted nipples can be caused by a variety of conditions other than cancer, including congenital causes where a woman is born with inverted nipples.”
Read more: Dense breasts are a risk factor for breast cancer: What does it mean to have dense breasts?
Other common non-cancerous causes include trauma or injury to the breast, infections that cause scarring or inflammation, and conditions such as ductal ectasia, in which the milk ducts under the nipple thicken and shorten, pulling the nipple inward, he added.
Be careful, as hormonal changes can also cause inverted nipples.
Doctors say hormonal changes, particularly those associated with puberty, pregnancy and menopause, can cause changes in breast tissue that can lead to inverted nipples, but these changes are usually temporary and may resolve on their own, he says.
When should you be worried?
In most cases, inverted nipples aren’t a sign of breast cancer. However, there are some signs that should make you concerned and see a doctor. These include:
Sudden change in nipple shape
Nipple discharge
Breast lumps
Redness or swelling
Skin changes around the nipples or breasts
“If you notice inverted nipples, you should see your health care provider, especially if it’s a new symptom,” says Dr. Chitkara. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may recommend imaging tests, such as a mammogram or ultrasound, to identify the underlying cause.”
“Early consultation is important, especially if the recurrence is accompanied by other worrying symptoms,” he added.
Read more: Though rare, men can get breast cancer too: Experts share who’s at risk and warning signs
Non-cancerous inverted nipple approach
Treatment for inverted nipples depends on the underlying cause, but if your inverted nipples aren’t caused by cancer, a minor surgical procedure can correct the condition, although research has shown that in most cases, surgery isn’t necessary for correction.
You should also pay attention to lifestyle factors such as wearing ill-fitting bras that put pressure on your nipples, breast injury or damage, and certain infections that can lead to inverted nipples.
Additionally, if an infection is the cause, treating the infection may resolve the problem.
Dr. Chitkara advises that if breast inversion is related to another breast condition, treating the underlying condition can often correct the inversion as well.
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