What
Happens at the clinic?
All
new patients are seen by our consultant
Surgeon or one of the senior team
members. In addition to seeing the doctor, you will need
to have some investigative tests carried out. We aim to do all the necessary
tests in one visit so please allow three hours to be in the hospital.
On occasions we may need to ask you to come back for a test, and you
will be given an appointment for this if necessary. Click
here to see the 'West Mid Clinic Format'.
You
are likely to have a mammogram and/or ultrasound :
Mammogram
A
mammogram is a special x-ray of your breasts. Mammograms are usually
recommended for women aged 35 and over, as younger women generally have
denser breast tissue. To take a mammogram, the breast is compressed
between a camera and x-ray plate - this may feel uncomfortable but it
only lasts for a few seconds. Each breast is normally x-rayed from two
different angles.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound
scans use sound waves to produce pictures of the breast tissue. Ultrasound
scans are often taken as well as mammograms. The radiologist applies
a clear gel to the skin of the breast and then passes a special microphone
over the are to obtain the ultrasound picture. Ultrasound scanning is
a painless procedure.
You
may also have a core biopsy or fine needle aspiration :
Core
biopsy
A
biopsy allows a sample of breast tissue to be taken for analysis. The
sample is taken, under local anaesthetic, with a special biopsy needle.
Although you may feel slight pressure as the biopsy is taken it should
not be painful. Later you may feel some discomfort, and a painkiller,
such as aspirin or paracetamol, should help relieve this. You may notice
some bruising around the biopsy site but this will fade after a few
day.
Fine
needle aspiration
This
allows fluid to be drained from cysts and can be used to obtain cell
samples for analysis. The doctor will perform the fine needle aspiration
using a needle and syringe and although this may feel uncomfortable,
it is usually over very quickly.
After
the clinic
After
you have been seen in clinic you may be discharged back to your GP,
or may be asked to come back for reassessment.
If
you have a core biopsy or fine needle aspiration you will need to come
back to clinic for the results as they are not available immediately.
You will be given an appointment for this before you leave the clinic.
For
further information you can contact:-
Breast Clinic Coordinator - 020 8565 5145 / 5771
Macmillan Breast Care Nurse - 020 8565 5885
Click
here to E-mail the Breast Clinic
