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What happens at the Wesley Diagnostic Breast Clinic?
The Wesley Diagnostic Breast Clinic aims to provide a complete diagnosis for women with any breast symptoms or problems. The diagnostic clinic is also for women with a strong family history, a previous breast cancer and women with dense breasts.
To diagnose most breast problems, several investigations are necessary that complement each other. We intend to complete them all at one visit. Your clinic doctor will be able to give you the results of most investigations or procedures performed on the day before you leave the clinic. Biopsy results, however, may take up to 48 hours.
Note that a referral from your doctor is required for investigations at our Diagnostic Breast Clinic.
A day at the clinic
We understand that you may be nervous about your visit with us, however it is our aim to make your time with us as reassuring as possible. With our unique approach to delivering same-day results, patients may need to spend more time with us than expected. Generally, the standard length of a visit is between two and four hours. However, the time depends on each individual’s test results.
Here’s what you can expect:
Arrival: On the morning of your appointment, you will be asked to complete your patient information forms on an iPad with assistance from your reception staff if you have not already completed your forms ahead of time in our Patient Portal. One of our friendly volunteers will escort you through to our comfortable waiting area, which features tea and coffee facilities, snacks and TV.
Testing: You will receive a mammogram, clinical history and breast examination. Your clinic doctor may require further investigations such as ultrasound, breast MRI or core biopsy.
Results: Your tests will be analysed by our specialist team and discussed with you. Your referring doctor will be provided with the results and discuss any next steps with you.
What investigations/imaging will I have?
We use the latest in mammography technology, including 3-D tomography, also known as 3-D mammography. It uses low-dose X-rays to take a series of pictures of your breast from different angles. These are put together to make a mini-movie, as well as a two-dimensional conventional mammogram. Your specialist breast radiologist and clinic doctor will view the images and make a recommendation for ultrasound imaging or an alternative follow-up.
Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves, by passing a flat probe across the breast. It provides further diagnostic information if an abnormality is noted during physical examination – such as lumps (especially those that can be felt but not seen on a mammogram) – or to view a suspicious area that was seen on a mammogram.
Ultrasound is useful because it can often tell the difference between fluid-filled cysts (which are very unlikely to be cancer) and solid masses (which might need further testing to be sure they’re not cancer).
Recent clinical research has shown women with extremely dense breast tissue (volpara 4 on mammogram) require an ultrasound in addition to their breast screening.
The Wesley Diagnostic Breast Clinic offers a unique breast MRI service. The service is integrated into the breast clinic, with each case reviewed by clinicians highly experienced in mammography, ultrasound imaging and breast MRI. The optimum imaging protocol can then be decided, and any adjunctive imaging obtained at the time of the breast MRI examination. On making an MRI appointment recommended by the clinic doctor, a breast care nurse will contact you to discuss the MRI examination.
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 by a trained clinic doctor, radiographer and breast care nurse, using ultrasound or mammographic guidance, during which:
- 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. You will be contacted by the Clinic Doctor usually within 24 to 48 hours with the pathology results.
Note: The information here is for general reference only. To understand the benefits and risks specific to your condition and overall situation, please discuss any procedure with your treating doctor.
Make an appointment
To make an appointment with the Wesley Breast Clinic, please call 07 3232 7202, or fax 07 3217 8840. You may need a referral for some services. For all other enquiries, please call or complete the form below.