About The Wesley Breast Clinic

The Wesley Hospital Breast Clinic is a not-for-profit Clinic and relies on the generosity of donors to continually upgrade capital equipment and provide services that are above and beyond that provided through Medicare reimbursement. Our goal is to provide an optimal environment for the diagnosis of all breast problems and we aim to provide information, care and support for all women who have concerns about their breasts all on the day of their visit to the Clinic.

One in 9 women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime

The Wesley Breast Clinic also considers research into all aspects of breast disease to be of utmost importance and we are actively involved in a number of projects.

One in 9 women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. In addition, 60% of women will be troubled by benign breast changes. Our aim is to promote an understanding of breast disorders so that women will be less anxious and consequently, will not miss an opportunity to detect a breast cancer and consequently improve their outcome from the disease.

The Clinic works in close cooperation with the referring medical practitioners ensuring best outcomes for their patients.

The Wesley Breast Clinic’s comprehensive range of services includes:

The Wesley Breast Screening Program for asymptomatic women which involves mammography and clinical examination. Each visit includes advice regarding further screening examination, breast self-examination and information about breast cancer and its detection with most patients receiving their results on the day of their visit to the Clinic.

The Wesley Breast Clinic has a large team of highly experienced professionals specialising in breast imaging, with an enormous depth of experience, some of whom have been with the Clinic for over 20 years. The Clinic is also supported by a wonderful team of volunteers and administrative staff.

The Wesley Breast Diagnostic Clinic, for symptomatic women, is a specialised multi-disciplinary facility set up to promote the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Women attending this Clinic may have a clinical examination performed by an experienced Breast Clinic Medical Officer, mammography using highly specialised low dose radiation equipment and an ultrasound examination with dedicated breast ultrasound equipment. Tissue sampling of abnormal areas of the breast may also be performed if necessary and other specialised imaging techniques such as breast MRI are available if required.
The Wesley Breast Clinic MRI Service is a non-invasive and painless medical test using a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and computer to produce detailed pictures of the breast. MRI of the breast is a valuable supplemental tool which provides information about many breast conditions. The Wesley Breast Clinic was one of the first private facilities in Brisbane to offer a dedicated computer aided diagnostic service for Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging and MRI guided breast biopsy.
The Family History Clinic provides information for women who have a strong family history of breast cancer or are gene carriers for breast cancer. Women attending will be offered clinical and imaging assessment, together with counselling regarding risk and detailed advice regarding management options, including genetic testing.
The Wesley Breast Clinic Breast Care Nurses are registered nurses who have undertaken special training to be able to provide information, support and care for women of all ages who experience breast disease. Our Breast Care Nurses will discuss breast issues and any concerns patients may have. Patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are contacted by one of our Breast Care Nurses to offer support, information and ongoing assistance to both patients and their family.

The Wesley Breast Clinic is one of the leaders in Breast Imaging with a world class reputation both within Australia and overseas. The high level of expertise maintained by the staff, and technological improvements including installation of a digital RIS/PACS system have resulted in great benefits to both patients and their doctors. We have numerous site visits from staff from other Breast Services within Australia and overseas keen to observe the benchmark practices of the Clinic and our staff.

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Additional Information - The Wesley Breast Clinic

Breast core biopsy

Q: What is breast core biopsy?
A: A breast core biopsy is a small sample of tissue taken from an area of concern within the breast and sent to a laboratory for testing. It is performed using ultrasound or mammographic guidance.

Q: What happens during a breast core biopsy?
A: Local anaesthetic is given. A small cut is made in the skin and the biopsy needle is inserted. Several samples are taken. The procedure may feel uncomfortable but is not usually painful.

Q: What is a vacuum assisted core biopsy?
A: A vacuum assisted core biopsy is a similar procedure to a core biopsy using a vacuum powered instrument.

Q: What happens during a vacuum assisted core biopsy?
A: The majority of breast abnormalities (small clusters of calcium or mammographic masses) that will require a vacuum assisted core biopsy are only visible on a mammogram.

In the procedure room you will be asked to lie on the biopsy prone table on your stomach. The table has a hole through which the relevant breast falls. The table will be raised. Under the table there is a special mammogram unit and biopsy device. This allows the Clinic Doctor and Radiographer to work below the table.

Under local anaesthetic a small incision is made in the skin and the needle inserted. When the samples have been taken a small titanium marker (3mm) may be inserted into the breast via the biopsy needle. This is so the area of abnormality can be identified at a later date if surgery is required. If inserted the biopsy marker is safe, cannot be felt and does not need to be removed.

Q: How long does a breast biopsy take?
A: An ultrasound guided core biopsy may take only 20 minutes. A mammographic guided core biopsy, also called a stereotactic biopsy, may take up to one hour. Taking of the actual samples is very quick.

Q: What are the benefits of a breast core biopsy/vacuum assisted biopsy?
A: The core biopsy can take samples from an area of concern so that a pathologist can examine it and make a diagnosis. Accurate information can thus be obtained without the need for an operation to surgically remove the tissue for testing. A core biopsy may avoid unnecessary surgery of benign lesions. If surgery is required a biopsy can provide you and your surgeon with more information for surgical management and treatment.

Q: What are the risks of a breast biopsy?
A: You will usually have some bruising at the biopsy site. Occasionally a larger bleed may occur which results in more significant bruising with a lump that may take 6-8 weeks to disappear. However there is no permanent change or damage to the breast.

There is a very small risk of infection.

A breast biopsy, especially if the lesion is located deep within the breast, carries a slight risk of the needle passing through the chest wall. This complication is a rare occurrence and is called a pneumothorax.

Q: Who does the breast core biopsy/vacuum assisted biopsy?
A: The breast biopsy will be performed by a trained Clinic Doctor and a Radiographer.

Q: When can I expect the results of my breast core biopsy?
A: The pathologist provides a detailed report to the Clinic Doctor usually within 24 to 48 hours.
Breast implants
Women may choose to have an implant following surgery for breast cancer, or to increase breast size. There are several different types and sizes of implants.

An implant consists of an envelope made of synthetic material and filled with saline (purified salt water) or silicone gel.

Q: Do breast implants alter the risk of breast cancer?
A: Women with implants have the same risk of developing breast cancer as those without implants – a lifetime risk of 1 in 12.

Q: What are the implications of silicone in the body?
A: There is no evidence that silicone causes breast cancer or is related in any way to breast cancer.

Silicone is often found in our blood because of our lifestyle and the environment.

Recent studies indicate that the incidence of diseases (including auto-immune disease) is no greater in women with implants than in other women.

Q: If I have an implant, what can I do about detecting breast cancer?
A: Mammography
- A screening mammogram is the single most effective means of detecting breast cancer at an early stage.
- Mammography is a low dose x-ray of the breast, using compression.
- For women with implants there are special techniques to maximise the amount of tissue imaged.
- Mammography is not designed for assessing an implant itself.
- Women aged 40 and over should consider regular screening mammography.
- Women with a family history of breast cancer may need to commence screening earlier.
Q: What are the limitations of mammography with implants?
A:
- Implants may make detection of small breast cancers more difficult.
- It is not possible to gain an x-ray image of all the breast tissue. Some tissue may be concealed by the implant.
- The amount of tissue imaged will depend on how far the breast tissue can be drawn away from the implant.
- Mammography may be technically more difficult if the capsule around the implant is tight.
- The amount of tissue imaged will vary from woman to woman.
Q: What are the risks of Mammography with implants?
A: The body’s normal reaction to an implant is to form a fibrous capsule around it. This capsule may tighten over time. If it does tighten, there is a small risk that compression during mammography may tear the capsule. The compression is highly unlikely to damage the implant itself.

If there is undetected deterioration of the implant envelope, compression may cause silicone to be pushed out of the implant. However, this would be a rare occurrence. The silicone is usually held in place by the surrounding tissue.

If you have any concerns, discuss them with the doctor or clinic staff before you have your mammogram.

Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves, by passing a flat probe across the breast. Compression is not necessary. Ultrasound provides further diagnostic information if an abnormality is noted during mammography or physical examination.

Ultrasound is useful for women in whom mammography is unsuitable.

Ultrasound is not as effective as mammography in screening for some types of breast cancer. It does not detect the specific kinds of early breast cancer which can only be seen with mammography.

For some women, both mammography and ultrasound are necessary.

Neither mammography nor ultrasound will detect all types of breast cancer.

Ultrasound will almost always show the presence of a leak (of silicone) within the breast, but will not provide information about the condition of the envelope.

Breast self-examination
If you notice any changes in your breast, discuss them with your doctor or clinic staff where you have your mammogram.
Common Breast Problems
Cysts
- Approximately 60% of women will have at least one cyst during their lifetime.
- Cysts are collections of fluids which occur in breast tissue.
- They are usually small and do not cause problems, but may increase in size, form a lump, or cause pain or tenderness.
- Cysts occur most commonly between the ages of 35 and 50 years and especially between 42 and 48 years.
- They are uncommon after menopause except in women on Hormone Replacement Therapy.
- They do not require treatment unless causing symptoms. Cysts can be emptied by withdrawing fluid through a needle.
- They are NOT related to breast cancer.
Fibroadenoma
- These are very common nodules in the breast and are benign.
- They are common in young women (under 25) when they appear as oval, tender, slippery masses, but they can occur at any age and may not be able to be felt as lumps.
- Many women have more than one.
- Diagnosis is usually by ultrasound, needle sampling and mammography (in older women).
- Treatment is not essential but they can be removed surgically.
- They are not related to breast cancer but do need to be accurately diagnosed. This can usually be done by needle sampling.
Nipple Discharge
- Most nipple discharges are completely harmless whether green, brown, straw coloured, milky or black – particularly if the discharge comes from more than one duct and from both nipples.
- These discharges are due to the production of fluid by normal breast cells in response to hormones.
- However, if the discharge is blood stained or completely watery it is important to see your doctor and be investigated as surgery may be required.
Hormonal Thickening
- This is the most common change in the breast and can occur at any age during the reproductive years.
- It is the response to hormones and is often related to pre-menopausal breast tenderness.
- It may occur anywhere in the breast but is most common in the upper outer region of the breast.
- It may come and go.
- Diagnosis is usually made with a combination of breast examination, mammography, ultrasound, and needle sampling (if necessary).
- No treatment is necessary unless pain causes trouble.
- Hormonal thickening is NOT related to the development of breast cancer.
- It usually disappears naturally after menopause.

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Additional Resources - The Wesley Breast Clinic

Education and Research

The Wesley Breast Clinic is actively engaged in the education of women as we believe it is the most appropriate basis for the development of effective preventative health behaviour.

Individual discussion with women attending the Clinic increases their understanding of breast symptoms and methods of early detection of breast cancer.

The Wesley Breast Clinic considers research into all aspects of breast disease to be of utmost importance. The Clinic is actively involved in a number of projects.
Support For Women

The Wesley Choices Cancer Support and Wellness Centre supplies information and support for all women diagnosed with breast cancer. This service is extended to the patient’s family as well.

About The Wesley Breast Clinic

Additional information

Additional Information - The Wesley Breast Clinic

Breast core biopsy

Breast implants

Common Breast Problems

Additional resources

Additional Resources - The Wesley Breast Clinic

Education and Research

Support For Women