When should I go to a breast clinic?
Your doctor will refer you to a breast clinic if you need a specialist team to check out a breast complaint.
What tests are carried out in the breast clinic?
A specialist doctor will ask you some questions, examine you and may send you for a mammogram (xray of the breast) or a breast ultrasound. They may also take a small sample of tissue or cells if you have a lump i.e. a biopsy. Together, these are all called triple assessment. Not all patients who attend the breast clinic require triple assessment
What is a mammogram?
It is an x-ray of the breast. Each breast is x-rayed from the side and from the top by a professionally trained radiographer.
Will it hurt?
Maybe, but only for a very short time while each breast is held firmly in place as the mammogram is taken, just enough so that we get a good picture of the breast. Pressing your breasts for a few seconds is not harmful and minimises the x-ray dose
How safe is a mammogram?
Since it uses very low-dose radiation, it is thought to be quite safe. The benefit of having a mammogram outweighs any risk from the x-ray
How long does it take to get results?
In some cases, a provisional result will be available on the day of your clinic visit. Usually, however, results of mammograms, ultrasounds and tissue biopsies take 2-3 weeks
Should I worry about breast cancer?
Most breast lumps are not cancer and most women referred to a breast clinic do not have cancer. However, it is important to attend the clinic if your GP recommends it, as breast cancer is a very treatable disease
Is there a long wait for an appointment?
All referrals received from GP’s at the breast centre are reviewed by a consultant breast surgeon to determine the level of urgency attached to each individual referral and appointments are prioritised accordingly.