At Mount Alvernia Hospital in Guilford, gain access to rapid, consultant-led assessment at our One-Stop Breast Clinic, if you are concerned about a change in your breast.
When you visit the clinic, we provide a rapid investigation to determine what the issue may be. If an issue is found, we will guide you from diagnosis all the way through to treatment, including a complete package of care tailored to each patient's individual needs.
Where possible, all necessary tests will be carried out in one hospital visit to enable your consultant to reach a diagnosis and to discuss with you any private treatment that may be required.
A breast care specialist nurse is also on hand throughout the clinic for support and advice, if you'd like a chat or have any questions.
If, for whatever reason (including your own preference), not all of the clinical assessment can be completed on the day, our team will support you in booking the remaining investigations promptly, at a time that suits you.
Please bring any old clinic letters and results from previous breast assessments with you, as your past medical history is important for your consultant to know during the assessment. Knowing what has troubled you in the past can help your consultant’s decision regarding your diagnosis.
It is essential that you tell us the date and location of your last mammogram, our radiology team will contact you before your appointment in regard to this information. Please note, if we don't have access to your prior mammograms on the day of your assessment, this may delay your full diagnosis.
For comparison purposes, it would be ideal if you could retrieve any previous imaging from other hospitals ahead of your visit. If you have had ultrasounds or biopsies elsewhere, it would be helpful to bring those reports along with you. If you have physical copies of your mammograms (such as a CD), please bring these with you too.
A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast. This type of scan is used to look for changes in breast tissue, including changes too small to feel.
Tomosynthesis, sometimes called ‘3D mammography’, takes a series of images from different angles to build up a more detailed, layered picture of the breast. This can be, particularly useful if you have denser breast tissue.
Typically, a mammography is not routinely recommended for women under the age of 40 unless your consultant advises otherwise.
All mammograms are completed by a specialist breast radiographer.
An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to create an image of the breast tissue. It is done by applying a small amount of gel to the skin, and then gently gliding a handheld probe over the area of concern.
Ultrasounds are particularly useful for assessing any lumps or areas of denser tissue. This type of scan is often done alongside a mammogram to help gain a fuller picture of your condition and breast health.
If an area of concern is suspected, a small sample of tissue or cells may be taken from your breast using a fine needle. This is usually under local anaesthetic and is often guided by ultrasound. This sample is examined under the microscope by a specialist pathologist, giving a precise diagnosis. The procedure is quick and generally causes only mild, brief discomfort.
Please note that if a biopsy is required, the results can take at least five working days to process.
Other imaging, such as breast MRI, may also be required. Any additional scans are carried out as an add on to your clinic assessment and are usually completed on a separate visit.
To identify any changes in your breasts early, it’s important to familiarise yourself with what is normal for you. A breast self-examination is a monthly self check you can do at home that helps you to pick up any changes early.
Make sure you do your self-examination on the same day every month. If you have periods, perform your check on the last day of your period, when your breasts are less swollen and tender. If you do not have periods, examine your breast on a regular date each month maintain consistent checking, such as the first day of the month.
To perform a breast self-examination, follow the steps below:
Look at your breasts in the mirror to check for changes in size and shape, as well as skin changes such as thickening of your skin, dimpling, puckering, wrinkling, pulling, skin redness, or a rash around your nipple.
Start with your arms straight down by your sides, then repeat your check with your arms raised above your head and finally with your hands on your hips.
Using the pads of three fingers (your index, middle, and ring fingers), use light, medium, and firm pressure to press around your entire breast area, including under your breast, nipple, and your armpit, using circular motions.
Perform the examination while standing and then repeat lying down, either on a bed or the floor.
Gently squeeze your nipples to check for any discharge.
Most of the time, early stage breast cancer does not cause pain. A breast cancer lump is usually painless. Pain is not a reliable indication of breast cancer.
If you are experiencing any of the breast changes below, you should consult a doctor even if there is no pain:
Secondary breast cancer, also known as metastatic breast cancer, stage 4 breast cancer or advanced breast cancer, is when the cancer cells that originated in the breast spread to other parts of your body.
Secondary breast cancer can be treated but not cured, which makes it all the more important to catch breast cancer early.
Yes, men can develop breast cancer. However, it’s much less common in men than in women. Only around 1% of all cases of breast cancer are in men.
You can choose to fund your treatment through self-pay (paying for yourself) or use private health insurance. We work with most major providers, and our friendly advisory team can help guide you through using your cover.
If you have insurance, we can arrange direct settlement with your insurance provider, although you should check in advance to see if your treatment is covered. For more information, visit our private medical insurance page.
You can book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.
For further information or to book a consultation, please get in touch with our enquiries team on 0800 157 7747. Give us a call and our advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you. We often have same-day appointments available at the clinic.
Clinics are run daily, from Monday to Friday. You can either self-refer or be referred by your GP.
Most insurance companies allow direct access booking to our one-stop breast clinic without a GP referral, so it is worth checking with your private medical insurer first before booking your appointment.
Reception: 01483 570122
Mon-Sun: 7am - 9pm
Visiting hours: 9am - 9pm
37 spaces
