Breast Screening Assessment Unit

This leaflet tells you about your appointment at the Breast Screening and Assessment Unit at the University Hospital of North Tees.

The University Hospital of North Tees Breast Screening Service is part of the national programme to screen women over 50 years of age.

The aim of the Breast Screening Programme is to reduce deaths from breast cancer by detecting the disease in its early stages.

Where is the Breast Screening and Assessment Unit?

Please see the map below where the Breast Screening and Assessment Unit is circled. It is located behind the North Wing.

The Breast Screening and Assessment Unit is signposted from the main entrance. When you arrive at the hospital, please follow the directions to the Breast Screening and Assessment Unit and report to the reception desk in the unit.

Why have I been asked to attend the Breast Screening and Assessment Unit?

This is the second stage in the screening process. The breast X-rays taken at your first screening session have shown changes which need to be checked. In most cases, nothing more will be needed.

Do I need to arrive early for my appointment?

Your appointment has been timed to try to avoid having to wait too long. There is no need to arrive before your appointment time.

How long will my appointment last?

You can expect your appointment to last for at least 1 hour.

What should I wear?

You will be asked to undress down to the waist, so it is a good idea to wear ‘separates’, for example skirt and top or trousers and top.

Can someone come with me?

You are welcome to bring your partner, relative or friend with you. They will be asked to wait outside the assessment room while you are being assessed. If you need to have a biopsy, it is best if someone can drive you home or be with you if you are travelling by taxi or bus.

What happens when I arrive?

The receptionist will show you to the waiting area. When it is your turn, you will be shown to a cubicle, asked to undress down to your waist and given a gown to wear.

A health professional will explain what will happen during your examination. They may take some further mammograms, using the same type of X-ray machine as used during your earlier mammogram, to give more detailed information.

You will then see one of the Specialist Consultants. They will ask some questions, examine your breasts and discuss with you what further tests, if any, are needed.

What other tests may be carried out?

Whenever possible, any further tests will be carried out during the same clinic session, but if you prefer, we can arrange a further appointment and any tests can be performed on another day.

Remember, a Breast Nurse will be available should you wish to talk with them.

Other tests that can be carried out include:

• Ultrasound scan. An ultrasound scan (an examination using sound waves to take pictures of the inside of your body), gives a different type of picture of your breasts. This is the same test used for pregnant women to give a picture of their baby. Ultrasound is safe and no X-rays are used.

• More mammograms. A special X-ray, like the mammogram you had earlier.

• Needle sampling or biopsy. This procedure allows small samples of cells or tissue to be taken from a very specific area within your breast.

How is a needle sampling or biopsy performed?

The area of skin over the breast will be cleaned to reduce the risk of infection.

You may be given an injection of local anaesthetic to numb the area before the sample is taken, but you may still feel some slight discomfort.

A small incision (cut) may be made in your skin to make it easier to insert the biopsy needle. An ultrasound or X-ray machine will be used to help guide the needle to the area where the biopsy needs to be taken. The biopsy sample will be sent to a laboratory for further examination.

All needle samplings are taken by either a specialist doctor or specialist radiographer.

If you have a biopsy taken, you will be given an information leaflet called Needle Biopsy of the Breast – Aftercare Advice. This will provide advice and contact numbers should you have any worries or concerns.

What are the risks and possible complications?

Some common risks and possible complications can include:

• Bruising and discomfort around the area where your biopsies were taken. This may last for up to 7 days but will settle over time.

• Bleeding. There can be some bleeding as the biopsy is taken. Steps will be taken to stop any bleeding during the procedure. If you are taking anticoagulant drugs (drugs that affect blood clotting), such as warfarin, heparin or clopidrogel, you must tell your Doctor or Radiographer before having your biopsy.

Rare risks and possible complications can include:

• An infection where the biopsy needle was inserted. Despite every effort to avoid this, such as, cleaning your skin and the use of a sterile syringe and needle, some patients may develop an infection. Treatment with antibiotics may be needed.

• A reaction to the local anaesthetic. Allergic reactions to local anaesthetic are rare. You must tell your Doctor, Radiographer or GP straight away if you develop any difficulty with your breathing, a rash or itchy skin.

Very rare risks and complications can include:

Puncture of the lung (pneumothorax). This can cause your lung to collapse, which would cause difficulty breathing. This happens very rarely in about 1 person in 10,000 having a needle biopsy of the breast.¹

When will I get my results?

Your Consultant will discuss all of your tests with you before you leave the clinic. However, if you have a needle biopsy, it will be sent to a laboratory for testing.

You can usually expect to receive these test results within 2 weeks. When the results are available, you will be sent a letter, which will either give you:

• Your results.

• A further outpatient appointment to discuss your results.

• Another appointment, to have your tests repeated. This can sometimes happen if not enough tissue or cells are collected from the biopsy for the laboratory to examine.

For most women, nothing more will be needed.

Contact numbers

If you have any questions, or need advice, please talk to any of the staff during your appointment, or telephone:

University Hospital of North Tees

Specialist Breast Care Nurse
Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Non-urgent messages can be left at any time on the answering machine.
Telephone: 01642 624371

University Hospital of Hartlepool

Specialist Breast Care Nurse
Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Non-urgent messages can be left at any time on the answering machine.
Telephone: 01429 522387

Further information available

National Breast Screening Programme
Website: www.gov.uk/topic/population-screening-programmes/breast

NHS Choices
Calls to this number are free from landlines and mobile phones
When it is less urgent than 999 call 111
Website: www.nhs.uk

Reference

Bates T., Davidson T, Mansel R.E., 2002, Litigation for pneumothorax as a complication of fine–needle aspiration of the breast, The British Journal of Surgery.

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet Reference: PIL1379
Date for Review: 18/05/2025