Breast Cancer Screening

Even though most breast problems arise from benign disease, women who find a breast lump or experience breast pain women are acutely aware of breast cancer and as a result suffer a significant amount of stress and anxiety.

It is often difficult for a patient (female or male) to decide whether changes in the breast are normal or abnormal. 

Most women seen in a breast clinic have one of the following benign (non-cancerous) conditions:

• Cyclical nodularity (fibrocystic disease)
• Breast cysts 
• Fibroadenoma
• Infection and inflammation
• Pregnancy and post-pregnancy changes
• Benign nipple discharge
• Gynaecomastia (breast enlargement in men) 

Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease amongst women and is often difficult to diagnose by clinical examination alone. Therefore, any unexpected or abnormal change in the breast should be assessed by an experienced breast clinician, and if necessary investigated fully using ultrasound or breast imaging to ensure that significant disease is not overlooked. 

Any of the following breast changes are be a reason to undergo breast assessment:

• A newly found breast lump
• A known existing lump that changes shape or grows bigger
• Skin changes (swelling, redness, dimpling, hardening, thickening, rash)
• Fluid discharge from the nipple in either breast
• A change in the size or shape of either breast
• A change in appearance of the nipple (such as sinking into the breast), or a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
• A lump or swelling in either armpit

Our specialist Dr Ramin Pakzad is able to assess and manage breast disease.