Contact number: 01257 245588 The Central Lancashire Breast Unit opened at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital in July 2012 to provide a one-stop service for breast care patients in Central Lancashire. The ‘one-stop’ approach means that patients are offered a full diagnostic assessment during one appointment in the unit, with results available either the same day or at most one week later if a further biopsy is needed. The majority of patients are referred to us by their GP. All symptomatic patients are seen in the unit within two weeks of the GP referral, with urgent referrals seen earlier. The Central Lancashire Breast unit is located on Level 3 of the Chorley and South Ribble. The unit is open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. You can contact us on 01257 245588. Click on a consultant to see more information. Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon Consultant Radiologist Consultant Radiologist Consultant Breast Surgeon Consultant breast surgeon Consultant Radiologist Consultant Consultant Please bear in mind that due to the range of diagnostic tests we offer, your appointment may take up to three hours. Therefore it’s advisable to make appropriate arrangements regarding work, childcare or other commitments to allow for this. Refreshments are available from the café within the main entrance of the hospital but you may wish to bring some light refreshments with you and something to read. To help you prepare for your appointment, we suggest that you don’t wear any deodorant except the clear 'roll-on' variety and that you wear a separate top with trousers or a skirt. On arrival at the unit please book in at reception where you will be greeted by one of our experienced reception staff and your personal details will be checked. We recognise that this may be a stressful time for you and you are welcome to bring a partner, friend or relative with you to the appointment. Once you have checked in at reception you will be seen by a member of the Specialist Breast Care Team. The team includes surgeons, radiologists, radiographers, sonographers, breast care nurses and other clinic staff. Your test results may be available at the end of your appointment. However, if a biopsy has been taken another appointment will be made, within one working week, to discuss the results and any next steps required. We provide rapid access to detailed diagnostic testing. Depending on your symptoms and age, this will involve a clinical examination by a breast surgeon or specialist breast care nurse, a mammogram and an ultrasound scan. Some patients are offered further assessment if required, usually a needle biopsy. An ultrasound scan uses a high frequency sound wave, inaudible to people, which is produced by a hand held probe, the size of a microphone, to create a different breast image. This is often used in addition to a physical examination by a surgeon or breast care nurse, which alongside the mammogram, completes the ‘triple assessment’ of a patient with breast symptoms. The examination is performed by a sonographer or consultant radiologist while you are lying down. Some jelly is applied to the skin and a probe is passed over the breast to produce a picture on the screen. After your initial assessment, you may require a needle biopsy. This involves taking a needle sample of a breast lump under local anaesthetic and is performed usually under the guidance of the ultrasound scanner or mammogram machine. This procedure can be performed by a surgeon or radiologist and can take between 10–30 minutes. It is a minor procedure but it may cause some bruising or a dull ache for 24-48 hours. Jane Smith*, 52, from Chorley was one of the first patients to be seen at the Central Lancashire Breast Unit when it opened in July 2012. She said: “I was referred to the Unit by my GP because I’d started experiencing some painful sensations around one of my breasts, and it had become a bit lumpy and not as firm as the other one. “I was initially a bit reluctant to go and see my GP because my symptoms were quite vague and I felt a bit of a fraud when I arrived for my appointment at the Breast Unit because they had almost disappeared. I was sure the pains were a sign of some kind of hormonal imbalance, or the onset of the menopause. “When I arrived at the Breast Unit I had a mammogram, which involved undressing to the waist and standing in front of the mammography machine. My breast was placed between two plates and then compressed, it was firm but gentle. “The results of the mammogram were not conclusive, so I had a further examination by one of the consultants and then an ultrasound scan which involved undressing to the waist again and this time lying on a couch. Lubricating gel was spread over my breast and the clinician used a hand-held probe to get an image of my breast tissue. “During the ultrasound examination, the radiologist found something irregular which needed further investigation. I stayed in the same room, and the consultant radiologist gave me a local anaesthetic and a needle biopsy, which was a little uncomfortable but it was over quite quickly. Even without the results of the biopsy they were able to tell me that day that there was a small tumour on my breast and that I would need further treatment. “It was an emotional roller coaster of a day, but the support I felt from the team was amazing, and that was so important in helping me deal with what was ahead. “Shortly after my initial diagnosis at the Breast Unit I had surgery and then radiotherapy. I was able to contact the staff at the Unit at any time and it was so reassuring to know that they were there, and that they knew me and I knew them. I didn’t just feel like a number in a faceless organisation. All my appointments at the Unit were organised by telephone, everything was so personal and that was also really reassuring. “I now have follow-up appointments at the Breast Unit every few months and I’ll be on hormone treatment for the next few years. I feel lucky that I was able to have all my tests on the same day at the Unit. I know that in other places all of these tests have to be carried out at separate appointments over a number of weeks which must be a really anxious time for anyone going through this who has to wait for weeks to get their final diagnosis. Getting my results and information about the next steps with my treatment on the same day meant that I knew exactly what was ahead and I was able to start treatment really quickly, rather than losing weeks waiting for test results to be available.” *A pseudonym has been used at the patient’s request. If you have lost or are worried about losing your hair due to cancer treatment you can make an individual appointment by calling 01772 523 522. Appointments last approximately one hour and run on Fridays between 9.30am and 12.30pm. ‘HeadStrong’, like all Breast Cancer Care services, is completely free. For more information on all the services the charity offers, visit: or call our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000. For many people, losing their hair can be one of the most traumatic parts of cancer treatment as it can have a devastating effect on their confidence and body image. There is however help at hand at HeadStrong, a hair loss advisory service run by the UK’s leading support charity, Breast Cancer Care, at the Rosemere Cancer Centre.. The charity’s free, one-to-one ‘HeadStrong’ service is open to anyone facing hair loss as a result of cancer treatment and teaches scarf-tying techniques, as well as giving patients the chance to try on a range of hairpieces and hats as an alternative to wearing a wig. Patients can learn how to look after their hair and scalp before, during, and after treatment and will have the chance to talk through any concerns with specially trained volunteers, some of whom have had a personal experience of breast cancer. What a previous client said about the HeadStrong service: ‘It was lovely to have a one to one session with very friendly people who could empathise with the insecurities that come with hair loss. It was a very relaxed and informative session and I was impressed with the amount of different varieties of headwear available. It made me feel more confident about my situation and was a visit to the hospital that I actually enjoyed!’ If you have lost or are worried about losing your hair due to cancer treatment you can make an individual appointment by calling 01772 523 522. Appointments last approximately one hour and run on Fridays between 9.30am and 12.30pm. ‘HeadStrong’, like all Breast Cancer Care services, is completely free. For more information on all the services the charity offers, visit: or call our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000. Breast Screening Programme http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/ Breast Cancer Care http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/ Patient Information Website on Breast Information For young and working women Meet every 2nd Wednesday 6.30 -8.30 pm at Vine House, Cromwell Road, Preston For further information please contact Vine House on 01772 - 793344 Meet on the first Monday of each month (except bank holidays – when meet the week after) from 2 – 4pm at St Ambrose Church Hall, Moss Lane, Leyland, PR25 4XA For further information please contact Monica Bentley on 01257 792501Breast Care
We will contact you with details of your appointment by letter or telephone and given details of the date, place and time.Coming to the Breast Unit?
Watch our video to find out more about what happens.
Consultants
Mr. Gary Boland
Dr Michael Joseph Dobson
Dr Selene Liew
Mr. Bade Laxmana Murthy
Mr. Zuhair Saidan
Dr Chris Spinks
Mr Gary Boland
Mr Raafat Mady
Arriving for your appointment
Test results
Mammogram
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray examination of the breast. Fine detail is very important in picking up subtle breast abnormalities. To assure the best quality image, the breast is held very still by the use of a degree of compression between two plates. Some patients find this a little uncomfortable, but the procedure is fairly quick. The digital mammography equipment is operated by a radiographer and then a consultant radiologist interprets the results.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound guided biopsy
Useful Links
Support Groups
Pink Sapphires
Chorley, Preston and Ribble Breast Cancer Support Group
