One Stop Breast Clinic at The Holly Hospital
Our one stop breast clinic offers fast, easy access to our specialist breast consultants and any diagnostic scans that may be required ensuring a fast and accurate diagnosis.
020 8505 3311
Most breast symptoms are not caused by cancer, but it is always best for a doctor to check.
To reduce anxiety and waiting times, The Holly Hospital hold a One Stop Breast Clinic.
What is the One Stop Breast Clinic?
The One Stop Breast Clinic is an outpatient clinic to investigate any breast symptom, such as:
- a lump or thickening in your breast or armpit
- a change in the size, shape or feel of one or both breasts
- a change in the nipple, such as turning inwards
- fluid leaking from the nipple
- breast or nipple pain, particularly if it is there all or almost all the time
- skin changes in your breast, such as puckering, dimpling, a rash or redness of the skin
What happens at the One Stop Breast Clinic?
Our experts perform a detailed assessment in a single visit to the One Stop Breast Clinic. The assessment itself can take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. This assessment is made up of three stages:
- Initial assessment: A specialist breast consultant takes your full medical history, including any risk factors, and examines you, you will have a nurse chaperone.
- Imaging tests: You may have a breast ultrasound scan and, if needed, a mammogram (an X-ray of the breast).
- Further assessment*: If we find any area of concern in your breast, a radiologist may carry out a further assessment. This involves taking a small sample of breast cells or tissue for testing. You may have either:
- a fine needle aspiration, where a very fine needle is used to remove a sample of cells into a syringe.
- a core biopsy, where a needle is used to take small pieces of tissue from the lump or abnormal area.
If you have a core biopsy, you are given a local anaesthetic to make the area numb before the test.
- Specialised imaging: If you require any specialised imaging tests such as a stereotactic breast biopsy (using a mammogram), vacuum biopsy or an MRI-guided biopsy- these can be arranged for you at the appropriate external facility.
* If required.
A detailed assessment to give you peace of mind
Most people are reassured that their symptoms are benign (non-cancerous) and leave our clinic with peace of mind. If the tests show any cause for concern, this is usually confirmed within a week. We explain the diagnosis at a further appointment and a specialist breast care nurse is there to give you immediate support. After this, we can develop a personalised treatment plan and carry out all tests and treatments both onsite and at external facilities where required.
Breast screening service
We also offer a breast screening service. If you are over the age of 40 and do not have symptoms but want peace of mind, you can refer yourself for an annual mammogram. The result will be reported by 2 radiologists and sent to you directly and to your GP (unless declined) in 10 working days.
If you have any questions about breast screening or would like to book an appointment with a specialist, please call 020 505 3311 and follow the prompts to speak to our radiology team.
Our consultants
Appointments
Our One Stop Breast Clinic is open five days a week with minimal waiting times.
If you are paying for your own treatment, you can refer yourself to the One Stop Breast Clinic. Private medical insurance companies may ask for a referral from your GP.
If you have any questions about breast screening or would like to make an appointment with a specialist, please call 0208 505 3311 and follow the prompts to speak to our radiology team.
Alternatively, please email hobkh.breastclinicinquiry@nuffieldhealth.com or complete the form below:
Contact The Holly Hospital