What To Expect
The Harley Street Breast Clinic is structured to provide expert advice and any test that you may require in just one clinic visit. In this way we hope that by the end of your appointment your breast problem will have been fully investigated, diagnosed and explained to you. Since most breast symptoms turn out to be due to relatively harmless breast changes the one-stop clinic is often the only visit you will have to make to the clinic avoiding all the anxiety and inconvenience of a second appointment.
Following registration you will have an initial consultation with Mr Nicolas Beechey-Newman, Consultant Breast Surgeon. He will ask about the details of your problem and perform an examination of your breasts and arm pits. Any investigations that may be required can then be carried out. In many cases this will involve a mammogram of both breasts and an ultrasound scan of one or both breasts. These tests will be carried out and reported by one of our three consultant breast radiologists (Dr Sarah McWilliams, Dr Annette Jones and Dr Robin Wilson). It is often necessary to have a needle biopsy to complete the investigations and this will usually be done at the same time under ultrasound guidance. The cells or tissue from the biopsy are examined immediately by our Consultant breast pathologist (Dr Glen Dixon). Finally you will see Mr. Beechey-Newman again who will explain all of the test results and the final diagnosis. Plans for any treatment that may be required can be arranged during the same visit. Your GP will be informed of your consultation by letter.
On arrival at 148 Harley Street you will be shown into our waiting room on the ground floor. There are two simple forms that we will ask you to fill out at the beginning of your visit. Please return these to the clinic nurse on the 3rd floor. The main clinic area is on the third floor and the receptionist will tell you when to go up for your initial consultation with Mr Nicolas Beechey-Newman, Consultant Breast Surgeon. As with all of the buildings in Harley Street the stairs are rather steep and it is easier to take the lift. The majority of breast problems are unrelated to breast cancer but are best checked out to be on the safe side. This is most easily done in the One-Stop Breast Clinic where there is immediate access to any investigations that may be necessary and where the results can be explained to you before you leave.
Mr Beechey-Newman will discuss your particular problem and will ask about any other medical and family details that may be of relevance. It would be helpful if you could bring a list of any medications that you take regularly. A family history of breast cancer is sometimes important and the details of this and any members of your family who may have had ovarian cancer will be discussed. Please also let us know the date of the start of your last menstrual period, if this appropriate.
If you have had a mammogram in the past and the x-rays are in your possession please remember to bring these with you. If your appointment is with regards to a recent health screen mammogram you should ask the screening centre to let you have the x-rays before your visit.
Your referring GP will often provide you with a letter explaining the background to your problem, often this is faxed to the Clinic office before your visit. It is quite appropriate however to make an appointment with the Harley Street Breast Clinic yourself, and in this case a letter or fax from your GP is not required.
Once we have a clear idea of your problem you will be examined by Mr Beechey-Newman. Every effort is made to make this as quick and discreet as possible. A chaperone is available if you should wish this. The breasts are examined and the lymph glands in the armpits and neck are felt. It is important to examine the breasts both in the sitting and lying position.
After this initial assessment, any investigations that are required can be carried out immediately. This may include a mammogram (breast x-ray) of both breasts, an ultrasound scan of one or both breasts, or a needle biopsy. All results of these investigations are immediately available to Mr Beechey-Newman and can be explained and discussed during your visit.