This page is for anyone who has been referred to our Breast Care Unit.

If you have been referred for routine breast screening please see the King’s College Hospital breast screening webpage. The NHS Cancer Screening Programme website has a step by step guide to breast screening. Public Health England also has a full guide to screening.

If you are referred to the Breast Care Unit by your GP (General Practitioner) you will receive an appointment letter with full details of your appointment. Read what will happen at your appointment in an easy read format.

How we will care for you

We provide a diagnostic and treatment service for women with breast conditions. We see all new patients within 14 days of referral, as per the NHS standard for urgent referrals. We run regular clinics, as follows:

• Monday: mornings
• Tuesday: mornings
• Wednesday: afternoons (on occasions)
• Thursday: afternoons
• Friday: no clinic

Morning clinics starts at 8.30am. Afternoon clinics start at 1pm.

We aim to offer you same-day consultation and investigation with a member of the breast care team, though this is not always possible. If you need any further investigations, such as a mammogram (breast x-ray) or biopsy, you may be in the unit between two to four hours. Please make provisions for this, such as bringing snack or refreshments.

What to expect at your breast care appointment

1. You have been referred to an appointment by your GP (or within King’s).

2. You will be seen in a one stop clinic by a consultant breast surgeon or a member of their team.

3. A member of the medical team (consultant, clinical fellow and registrar or foundation year doctor) will take your medical history and complete a clinical examination.

4. You will be sent for a mammogram, and/or tomosynthesis, and/or ultrasound, and/or biopsy sampling as required. For example, some patients will only need a mammogram while others will need a mammogram and ultrasound. The consultant radiologist undertakes the necessary procedures. All diagnostic tests are performed on the same day.

5. The consultant radiologist will review your mammogram (x-ray), tomosynthesis, ultrasound and/or biopsy as required.

If a biopsy is not required you will be reassured and discharged.

6. If your breast or radiology consultant is concerned by the findings of the diagnostic tests and a biopsy is taken, this will be discussed with you. If you then have any further concerns there will be support available.

7. Before you leave you will be provided with an appointment to return to the clinic in approximately one to two weeks for the results of your biopsy

Our What to expect at your breast care appointment and Breast care glossary of terms leaflets have more details.

Preparing for your appointment

No special preparation is needed for this clinic appointment. You are welcome to bring a friend or family member with you, as it may be helpful if you have concerns about understanding what the medical team will discuss with you.

You may be in the unit between two to four hours. Please make provisions for this, such as bringing snack or refreshments.

Location

Chartwell Unit, Level 0, North Wing, Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough Common, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8ND

Contact details

Breast Care Unit Main Reception (PRUH): 01689 863 159

Email kch-tr.pruhbreastcns@nhs.net

For GPs and referrers

Refer a patient

GPs should refer via NHS e-referral (e-RS) wherever possible.

For emergency referrals, please contact the consultant by calling the Breast Care Unit on 01689 863 159.

Referral criteria

We offer clinical consultation, imaging and counselling, with results discussed and management plans agreed at a weekly multidisciplinary meeting. All patients are offered an appointment within 14 days and emergency patients (including breast abscesses) are seen on request the same day.

Our symptomatic clinics investigate both benign and malignant diseases and provide:

• Investigation and treatment of all breast symptoms, such as lumps, mastalgia and nipple discharge.
• Advice about familial risk of breast cancer and interactions with hormone replacement therapy.
• Screening for occult breast cancer.
• Management of breast cancer risk such as Hodgkin’s disease from earlier radiation exposure.
• Prostheses advice and fitting.
• Breast reconstruction, which is offered to all patients having mastectomy.

 We do not provide cosmetic surgery services or family history screening.