Breast clinic leaflets

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Colchester Breast Unit
Colchester Hospital
Tel: 01206 748 381

The Rapid Diagnostic Breast Clinic

You have been offered an appointment for the breast clinic at Colchester Hospital. This is a rapid diagnostic clinic, so breast examination and other breast tests are carried out, as required. You may find it helpful to bring a friend or relative with you to lessen the anxiety associated with attending clinics or receiving results.

The majority of patients (90%) can be reassured that their breast problem is not serious and will be discharged back to the care of their GP.

Breast clinic instructions

Please wear clothes that you can remove quickly and easily, so nothing too tight, not a dress or any clothes with several buttons or clasps. Please do not wear spray deodorant or talc because it affects the quality of breast X-rays.

Verifying your identity

When you attend hospital you will be asked to confirm your first and last names, date of birth, postcode and NHS number, if you know it.  We will also ask you to let us know if you have any allergies.

What happens in the breast clinic?

Who will be in the breast clinic?

The clinic is run by the consultant breast surgeons (both male and female) and each clinic has a female chaperone.  Nursing staff and the breast care nurses are also there for help.

Medical/nursing students or GP trainees may also be present.  If you have any objections, please tell us.

You may also meet the radiographers who take the mammograms, the consultant breast radiologists and staff from the Breast Screening and X-ray (imaging) departments.

The tests

The tests include a clinical examination. You may also have a mammogram, X-ray, and/or ultrasound scan, a core biopsy or cell test. The clinical examination, scans and biopsies are called a ‘triple assessment’ and provide an accurate diagnosis for more than 99% of all breast problems. Very occasionally, further tests will be needed before a diagnosis can be made. If they are necessary they will be discussed with you beforehand.

Breast examination

This will be performed by the breast doctor, the consultant breast surgeon or a member of their team. Any further tests will be arranged at that point and are described as follows:

Mammograms (breast X-rays) and ultrasound

• Mammograms are generally offered to women over the age of 40.  Younger women tend to have more glandular breast tissue, which makes mammograms less clear
• Women under 40 have their breast examined by ultrasound if a scan is required

Mammograms involve compressing the breast in the X-ray machine for a few seconds. For the majority of women it is slightly uncomfortable rather than painful. Ultrasound involves spreading a jelly on the breast and passing a small scanning device over the breast. This is painless.

Mammograms are performed by the breast radiographers and interpreted (read) by a consultant breast radiologist or clinical specialist. Further mammogram pictures may be required to help with interpretation – this does not necessarily mean there is something of concern on the mammogram. An ultrasound may be performed, which is helpful in examining certain parts of the breast in more detail.

The cell test (fine needle aspiration and cytology)

A fine needle is inserted into the breast and fluid or cells are removed. A cell test is very similar to a blood test. This test is also occasionally done on a lymph node in the armpit. Any cells removed are sent for examination to the consultant pathologist in the laboratory. Whoever does this test will let you know if the cells are being sent for analysis. Occasionally it can result in bruising, which will normally get better over 2-4 weeks. Other complications are very rare.

Cyst aspiration

If you have a cyst, removing fluid may help to make you feel more comfortable. Cysts do not always need to be drained, however. Draining a cyst will be discussed with you and is also performed using a fine needle. Cyst fluid does not usually require analysis.

Core biopsy

A core biopsy is the removal of a small sample of tissue. Before the procedure, a local anaesthetic is injected, which may sting for a short time initially. The core biopsy is taken using a special needle.

The tissue is then sent to the Histopathology Department for further examination. There may be some bruising, which will normally get better over two to four weeks. Other complications are very rare. A small dressing will be applied. If you experience any discomfort following the procedure, you can take a mild pain reliever such as paracetamol but avoid aspirin as this can encourage bleeding.

The results

Core biopsy and cell test results will usually be available the following week but occasionally may take 10 to 14 days.

Travel and parking at the hospital

Get to Colchester Hospital

Car parking at Colchester Hospital, including charges and how to pay.

Comments, compliments or complaints about your care

Please raise any concerns in the ward or department you are in. Ask to speak with the ward sister, matron or department manager. If your concerns cannot be resolved or you wish to make a formal complaint, please look at the PALS (Patient Advice & Liaison Service) page, call PALS on 0800 783 7328 or pick up a PALS leaflet at the hospital.

Your views

If you or a family member has recently been in Colchester Hospital, you can tell us about your experience by searching for ‘Colchester’ on the NHS Choices website (Opens in a new window), by writing to us or by filling in a ‘Friends & Family Test’ questionnaire.

If you have any questions concerning this information, please contact the breast care nurses on
01206 748 370.

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