Second stage breast assessment
Some women may need further evaluation after their routine breast screening, and will be asked to attend for an assessment appointment at Princess Anne Hospital. Please allow at least 2 hours for this type of appointment.
When you arrive, the reason for your recall will be explained. At this second stage more tests are carried out. These may include a clinical examination, further mammograms and ultrasound.
At this point we will often need to take a sample from the breast tissue this can be done a few different ways depending on the areas within the breast that needs sampling. The first is fine-needle aspiration cytology may be carried out in which some breast cells or fluid are drawn off through a very fine needle for laboratory analysis. A further technique often used in the clinics is core biopsy, where a tiny sample of tissue can be taken and sent for analysis. This is always done with local anaesthetic. Sometimes we need to use vacuum assisted probe to take the sample this helps get a little more tissue to make a diagnosis.
The results of x-rays and ultrasound will be explained on the same day and you will have an opportunity to discuss them with one of our specialists. If tissue samples are taken we will typically ask you to come back for a clinic appointment for these results within a fortnight. You may wish to bring a friend or relative with you to discuss any results or information you receive.
MRI, Digital Tomogram and MRI Vacuum assisted Biopsy
For some changes picked up we may organise further scans including a magnetic resonance scan or breast tomosynthesis. These give more information about the area we are concerned about. At times this may find areas that can only be spotted on MRI in this case MRI guided biopsy will be required.
The majority of women called for second stage screening do not have cancer. However, if breast cancer is detected early there is an excellent chance of making a full recovery.
About 95 per cent of women are reported as normal after the first mammogram and will be routinely invited for screening three years later. Of those recalled for second stage screening, only around one in eight will be found to have cancer.
If you need treatment
If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, an early diagnosis gives the best chance of successful treatment. We will refer you directly to our specialist surgical team, often during the same visit, and they will discuss and explain your diagnosis and treatment options with you. This is essential before making any decisions on treatment. Many women have a choice about the type of treatment they receive depending on the type and location of their cancer. Our team will arrange any treatment dates and provide information and support.
Vacuum Assisted Excision (VAE)
There are some changes picked up during the breast imaging and biopsy that are indeterminate this may be called B3 lesions, for some of these we may offer to removed them using a technique similar to biopsy, where a needle attached to the suction device and removed this way. However not all lesions may be suitable for this method. This is done under local anaesthetic
Give feedback on our services
We welcome all feedback from those who have used our services. If you have any positive comments or ideas for areas of improvement that you have not already shared with the team, we would be very happy to hear from you.
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