Breast clinic FAQs

We aim to give you all your results on the same day as your appointment. However, sometimes we need more time to analyse the tests and you may be asked to come back to the clinic in one week for your results.

Core Biopsy test analysis takes longer, so you’ll generally be asked to come back to clinic in three to seven days for these results.

You might have one or more of the following, depending on your specific needs:

Mammogram
A mammogram is a type of X-ray of the breast. The specialist mammography radiographer will ask you to undress to the waist in the mammography room. You will be asked to stand in front of the mammography machine and 2 images of each breast will be taken – one from the front and one from the side. The breast is compressed between 2 plates to flatten it and to get as much detail on the images as possible. Some people find having a mammogram uncomfortable, but the test takes only a few seconds. Our machine is a state of the art Digital Mammography Unit, which means we can reduce both the radiation dose and the examination time for you. It’s also significantly more comfortable as the compression times are kept to an absolute minimum.

Breast Ultrasound Scan
You will be asked to undress to the waist and lay on a couch with your arm above your head. Some jelly will be put onto your breast and the scanning probe will be moved around your breast (this is the same technique that is used to look at babies in the womb during pregnancy).

Needle Core Biopsy
Core biopsy is performed when a sample of tissue is removed by a needle for analysis in the Pathology department. Local anaesthetic is given to the skin site, to numb the area prior to the procedure.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)
Not everyone needs this test. For those that do, this involves taking a sample of the cells from the area of the breast that we are investigating, using a fine needle and syringe. The cells are spread onto a microscope slide and sent to the laboratory to be examined. FNAC can be uncomfortable but does not usually need a local anaesthetic. Fine Needle Aspiration is also used to aspirate (drain a cyst).

You’ll be seen by specialist breast consultant who will ask you some general questions about your health and your breast problem; this will include taking a family history of any breast problems.

The consultant will examine your breasts and decide which tests you will need based on your individual assessment. You’ll be asked to undress to the waist for this, so it’s best not to wear a dress to the appointment.

We aim to provide a one-stop service in the breast clinic. This can mean that your clinic appointment may take 3-4 hours.

We do our best to see you at your appointment time, but sometimes delays happen due to the tests that we do.

When you arrive at the breast clinic you should report to the reception desk, where the clinic receptionist will check we have your correct address and GP details. You’ll also be asked to register your account.

The Breast Care Nurse will call you when you’re due to see the doctor, and will stay with you during your consultation.

You can bring a relative or friend with you, and if you wish they can stay with you when you’re seen by the doctor.

You may have been referred to the breast clinic because you have a breast lump or breast problem and your General Practitioner (GP) thinks that you should be seen in a specialist clinic.

There are many reasons for breast lumps and breast problems. Please remember that 9 out of 10 women with breast lumps do not have breast cancer.

You’ve been referred to this clinic so that we can investigate your breast problem and decide on treatment if it is necessary. Our team of nurses, specialist consultants and radiographers all work together to try and make sure you have only one visit during which all investigations can be carried out.