Breast Clinic 6pp DL - London Bridge Hospital

If you need any of these tests, you will beaccompanied at all times by one of ournursing team. On completion of yourinvestigations, your Consultant willdiscuss these results with you and anyfurther steps that may be needed.A specialist breast care nurse is availableduring the clinics to help explain theprocedures and to provide any additionalinformation you would find useful. Yourvisit will take approximately 1-2 hoursand you may eat and drink normallybefore your appointment.If you have any questions or needfurther information, please do nothesitate to contact us.SPECIALISTBREAST CLINICINFORMATION ANDPROCEDURESGP LIAISONA service for GPs and patients who requireassistance with referrals to consultantsand Hospital services.Opening hours: Monday-Friday08.30-17.30hrsTelephone: 020 7234 2009Fax: 020 7234 2019How to find us:London Bridge Hospital is situated on theSouth Bank of the Thames. We are next toLondon Bridge mainline and undergroundstations with easy access to the city. Pleasenote: no right hand turn from Borough Highstreet into Duke Street Hill.31 Old Broad Street is situated on OldBroad Street in the heart of the city and nextto Tower 42 (formerly the Natwest Tower).London Bridge Hospital27-29 Tooley Street, London SE1 2PRTelephone 020 7407 3100Fax 020 7407 3162E-mail info@lbh.hcahealthcare.co.ukWebsite www.londonbridgehospital.com

Our specialist Breast Clinic draws on theexpertise of the country’s leading breastunits at both Guy’s and St Thomas’ andKing’s College, London.Our team ofdynamic Surgeons,Oncologists,Radiologists andCytologists at theclinic areresponsible formany of the latestadvances in breastdisease and cancerresearch today.What’s more, ourconsultants worksolely in the fieldof breast problems. This dedicated team ofprofessionals delivers a personal andhighly specialised service.EASE OF ACCESSThe Clinic provides rapid access, advice,diagnosis and treatment for anyone whomay have a breast problem. Appointmentsare available 4 days a week and you canchoose from our London Bridge Hospitalsite or 31 Old Broad Street, ourDiagnostic and Treatment Centre in theCity.YOUR CONSULTATIONYour consultant will assess your currentsymptoms and is able to identify anypotential problems through a series ofdiagnostic procedures. These diagnostictests can be performed at the same time toavoid the inconvenience of a secondappointment and minimise any possibleworries.Undergoing a diagnostic breast procedurecan, naturally, cause some anxiety. Mostwomen find it helpful to understandsomething about the procedure so theyknow what to expect. The followinginformation provides a brief summary ofthe differentprocedures weprovide:MammographyIn this proceduretwo images aretaken of each breastby compressing thebreast between twoplates. This maycause sometemporarydiscomfort. Theconsultant radiologist will then check theimages and may recommend someadditional views to ensure the optimalassessment is achieved.Ultrasound scanningThis is an imaging technique using soundwaves. The consultant radiologist appliesgel to the breast and then moves a probeover the breast to examine the breasttissue. The consultant may then decide totake a sample of tissue using theAssortment of Mammogramsultrasound to locate the exact area.Samples can be taken by fine needleaspiration or a core biopsy.Fine needle aspirationUsing a fine needle and a syringe, cellsare collected from the breast tissue. Theprocedure can be uncomfortable and mayneed to be repeated to ensure enoughcells are taken from the area. Theprocedure lasts approximately 15 minutes.This specimen is looked at immediately bythe Consultant Cytologist on site and theresults are usually available within thehour.Core biopsyThis procedure takes a tiny piece of tissuefrom the breast, under local anaesthetic.This will be looked at under themicroscope by the Cytologist. The biopsyneedle makes a clicking noise which theconsultant radiologist will demonstratebefore beginning the procedure. Morethan one sample may be required toensure an adequate amount of tissue istaken. The procedure takes approximately30 minutes and the results are availableafter processing, which takes 48 hours.Core biopsies can also be carried outunder mammography guidance. Whilst ina seated position, the breast is locallyanaesthetised and compressed forapproximately 20 minutes whilst thesamples are taken.