Breast Care

Every 3 years, we invite patients aged between 50-70, who are registered with a GP and living in Buckinghamshire, to have routine mammograms.

It’s part of a national screening programme to help detect breast cancer in its early stages. Mammograms can help save lives with a better chance of effective treatment.

You’ll get a free and automatic invitation so there’s no need to make your own appointment. Women attending for the first time may get an invitation between the ages of 50 and 53.

What to expect during your mammogram

A mammogram is a low dose x-ray of your breasts. It can help to identify cancers that are too small to feel or see.

The process takes around 15 minutes. You may need further tests, including a physical examination while you’re with us so please allow 2-3 hours for your appointment.

Find out more about what happens during your mammogram and who you’ll see 

Your mammogram results

You’ll get a letter within 2 weeks with your results. We may ask you to come back for further tests. This does not necessarily mean that something is wrong and 3/4 patients get a normal result after further tests.

If we invite you for further tests in our assessment clinic and you want to speak to someone to help address your concerns, call us on 01494 426109.

Find out more about your results and what they might mean

We use various tests for diagnosis including:

Mammography (breast screening)

We take a low -dose x-ray of the breast tissue. Each breast is compressed between two plastic plates while we take the x-ray. We take 2 views.

The process may feel slightly uncomfortable but only lasts 30 seconds.

Ultrasound

We use a probe to transmit sound waves to see an image of your breast and use a lubricating gel to improve contact with the skin. We then view that image on a display monitor. Ultrasound examination doesn’t usually cause any pain.

An ultrasound helps us detect solid lumps and cysts (fluid filled lumps). It’s helpful in women under 35 who have much denser breasts as abnormalities in that age group may be hard to see on mammograms.

Fine needle aspiration cytology

A highly sensitive test that can differentiate between benign and malignant cells. We insert a thin needle into your breast to collect a small amount of cells. We then send these to the laboratory for analysis.

We also use cytology to draw fluid from a cyst which removes it. It’s slightly uncomfortable and sometimes causes bruising.

Core biopsy

Using a local anesthetic during an ultrasound or mammogram, we use a wider needle than the one we use for cytology. It means we can take a larger number of cells and get a conclusive diagnosis.

It takes a few days before we get a result due to laboratory processing.

If you need an operation, we usually do it within 1 or 2 weeks.

Sometimes we can do breast operations, including cancer procedures, as day cases. Before your operation, we’ll explain the procedure in detail, and go through it again with you on the day of surgery.

Surgical treatments include:

Sentinel node biopsy and OSNA

We offer most women breast conserving surgery if they don’t have clinically abnormal lymph glands. Instead of removing the majority of armpit lymph glands, we typically only remove 1 or 2 lymph glands and conserve as much of the breast as possible.

This means you’ll have far fewer potential side-effects from surgery and typically be able to go home on the same day. You’ll need a special scan before the operation and an injection of blue dye into the breast during the operation.

Mastectomy

If you need a mastectomy, we’ll offer breast reconstruction where appropriate. If we can’t do reconstruction, we’ll remove the breast and usually some lymph nodes. We’ll drain the wound and give you a local anaesthetic block during the operation to reduce postoperative pain.

Most patients go home within 24 hours.

Breast reconstruction

We’ll offer you breast reconstruction where possible. We’ll perform a ‘skin sparing’ mastectomy where we preserve most of the breast skin to produce a good cosmetic outcome.

We offer all types of reconstruction and will discuss each option with you in detail.

Benign breast lumps

Sometimes these need removing. We do most operations as day cases via cosmetic incisions.

Inpatient care

If you need to stay in hospital overnight, our ward nurses and breast care nurses will look after you. Your surgeon will see you regularly after the operation and we’ll make an outpatient appointment for you before we discharge you.

xxxxx

Chris

I didn’t want to tell my story but now feel I must. I was called for a routine mammogram in July, then recalled, but thought it was just dodgy film. I was told I had cancer. Gobsmacked as no lump or pain and no family occurrences. Biopsies proved confirmed it. I had chip insert (pain free) radioactive dye then surgery. The cells jumped the boundary, so I had a second op. The results again showed the boundary extended. So, I made the choice to have a mastectomy. I went in at 7:30am and was home by 2:45pm. I’d had three surgeries in three months. No pain, although had to have manual drainage several times. I’m now Cancer free. I didn’t want reconstruction but got a lovely bra and prosthetic boobie. I was measured correctly for first time in my life.

So please, please, please go for your mammogram when called. I have met the most amazing people with their own stories. The breast care team and day surgery team at Wycombe Hospital are real stars. I can’t put into words how grateful I am. I’m alive.

Linda

I’ve been a sister in a busy gynaecology ward and therefore can have a critical eye when it comes to patient care.

I was extremely anxious about my appointment to investigate a breast lump (a cyst thank goodness) that I had recently noticed. I was seen within 2 weeks of my visit to my GP.

I was greeted warmly by a very friendly receptionist which instantly relaxed me and within a few minutes after completing a form I was called for a mammogram. I was seen swiftly, the radiographer was kind and professional, it was only slightly uncomfortable. It was not at all painful.

The rest of my appointment was thorough, I was seen by a nurse and consultant who spent time with me without rushing. I felt well looked after and that the staff really cared. I could not find fault with the service and I came away feeling reassured and confident that if I needed to return in the future, I would not be anxious about the process. I would like to encourage any woman who feels afraid of seeing their GP about a breast lump not to be. All the staff are extremely professional and kind. We are very lucky to have a first class breast unit at Wycombe Hospital.

Helen

Earlier this year I was given an appointment to attend the mobile unit in Stokenchurch rather than Wycombe Hospital. The mobile unit was only a few minutes from my house, so I was thrilled as I work from home and was able to go in my break. I am always very anxious having a mammogram as breast cancer runs in my family, so to have the appointment just up the road instantly eased my anxiety as it reduced my time away from work.

On entering the portacabin I was immediately welcomed by the receptionist and the entry system and waiting area was very safe and secure (my appointment was during the pandemic) so I felt immediately at ease. I only had to wait a few minutes and was seen by a delightful mammographer who fully explained the procedure and took her time positioning me and made me feel very at ease.

I was not rushed and felt I was treated and cared for as an individual.

On leaving I felt what a wonderful experience – safe, very confidential, very professional staff and such efficiency. I wanted this positive feedback to be handed back to the team so they know what wonderful staff the breast care team from Wycombe Hospital are.

Anonymous

I’d like to share my extremely positive experience in the Assessment Clinic where I received excellent care and kindness from the Screening Breast Care Nurse which began before I had my appointment. No one likes to hear they need to be assessed in a breast care clinic, I was nervous and worried about the appointment and unknown outcome. I spoke to the Screening Breast Care Nurse prior to my appointment, and she explained the process, reassuring me that I would be well looked after. She met me in reception when I arrived and took the time to guide me through the appointment. I fortunately didn’t need a biopsy only aspiration of a cyst, however, she and all the staff were friendly and so kind. The clinic was run very efficiently. I had very short waiting times between the different stages one has to experience, for example, the mammogram and the ultrasound scan, results and final consultation. I was very well looked after. I would encourage anyone who is worried about their visit to contact the lovely nurse and her team who will without a doubt reassure you that you will be in the good hands of kind, experienced and professional staff and will receive the best possible care.

• Breast cancer patients
• Breast cancer treatment
• Breast care nurse and multi-disciplinary team
• Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU)