The Breast-cancer Unit Support Trust (BUST, Charity No. 1117508) is run by a volunteer committee, who have all been breast patients.
Come and join the BUST Members Support Group. The group is held four times a year and includes refreshments and a talk by a professional on the latest developments in technology, diagnosis and equipment.
There is also the opportunity to be updated on local BUST fundraising events and to talk to women who have been treated for breast cancer.
Everyone is welcome; partners, friends, family and those just interested in coming and joining in a very relaxed evening.
BUST also fundraises to buy advanced medical equipment for the Bristol Breast Care Centre (BBCC) based at Southmead Hospital.
They are able to give talks to groups about Breast cancer and how to examine for breast abnormalities and have spoken to students in schools, retired people and all ages in between.
The Prosthesis fitting Clinic is offered once a week on a Monday morning at the Macmillan Wellbeing Centre, Southmead Hospital, for all patients that require a breast prosthetic/bra fitting.
Run by our experienced fitters, Helen Lewis (Trulife) and Tracy Emerson (Amoena), every patient is offered a prosthetic post-mastectomy free of charge.
Approximately 5-6 weeks post surgery, dependent upon wound healing and the fact that any post–operative swelling has settled, you will be offered an appointment for the fitting clinic. Prioir to this a temporary very soft form prosthetic is available to all patients undergoing mastectomy surgery without reconstruction – these soft prosthetics are fully washable, and can be worn as as soon after surgery as is comfortable.
If a problem should arise with your prosthetic, please phone through to the Bristol Breast Care Centre and have the relevant information to hand – we usually ask for the make, Amoena or Trulife, and the number and size of the prothetic you have been suppled with (these are usually clearly printed on the box it will have been suppled in). We can then reorder a replacement to be delivered straight to your home address.
Similarly, if at any point the prosthetic becomes too big or too small, usually due to weight gain or weight loss, we can rebook you to the fitting clinic for another fit.
The Breast prosthetics usually get a replaced approx. every 2 years.
Our Consultant Radiologists run their own radiology clinics for patients who have already attended the unit for a diagnostic test/scan and as a result further evaluation has been recommended, usually in the form of a focused ultrasound scan and/or additional mammograms/biopsies.
This can be quite common in ladies whom we have sent for an MRI scan of the breast tissue, which as one of the more sensitive ways of looking at breast tissue, often highlights additional areas that require more close evaluation to determine their nature.
Our Radiologists work alongside the Consultant Surgeons and are an important part of the Multi-disciplinary team approach.
Contact Bristol Breast Care
Bristol Breast Care Centre Beaufort House Southmead Hospital Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS10 5NB
The Bristol Breast Care Centre New Patient Clinic is for women and men who have been referred by their GP and includes patients with breast pain, lumps and/or bumps, breast changes or discharge.
Patients are usually over the age of 16 years of age, although we also see children.
With eight consultants, the clinic runs every day of the week at Bristol Breast Care Centre, Southmead Hospital.
At your first appointment, if appropriate you would usually have a mammogram, potentially alongside an ultrasound scan and possibly a biopsy, all performed on the same day at Bristol Breast Care Centre - this can mean being at the clinic for up to three or four hours. We request that patients attend their appointment alone, unless a care giver is needed. If you feel you need a care giver with you at your appointment please contact the department in advance on 0117 414 7000 to discuss this. We need to reduce the footfall into the Breast Care Centre to reduce the overall infection risk to patients.
There are refreshments available in the centre so please ensure you bring sufficient change.
You will then be seen by a Breast Care consultant on the same day, and offered an appointment which will be around 1-2 weeks later for your results.
If further tests, for example an MRI scan, are required, they cannot be done on the same day and you would need to return at a later date.
Contact Bristol Breast Care
Bristol Breast Care Centre Beaufort House Southmead Hospital Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS10 5NB
Your mammograms are reviewed and the results will be sent to you within two weeks. Your GP will also be notified of your results.
There are 3 possible results:
Normal
Your x-rays have shown no signs of cancer and you will be invited again in 3 years’ time for your next routine screen. If by then you are over 70 then please contact us for an appointment nearer the time.
Technical Repeat
The mammogram needs to be repeated for technical reasons only. Occasionally not all of the breast tissue can be seen on the x-rays or the pictures may be blurred. The mammogram is repeated to ensure all the breast tissue can be clearly seen. Approximately 3 out of every 100 women screened will be called back for a technical repeat to get a good quality mammogram. You will be invited to attend the screening unit at so that your repeated x-rays can be checked for technical quality before you leave.
Assessment
Sometimes we need more detail about an area we have seen on you mammogram before we can decide on a result. If this is the case you will receive an appointment to attend our assessment clinic. This additional appointment is part of routine screening and for most women invited back nothing of concern will be found. Approximately 5 out of 100 women who have breast screening will be asked to come back to our clinic for a further examination. 4 of these 5 women will be found to have a normal result. Any women invited to an assessment clinic will be able to speak to a breast care nurse if they want more information before attending.
Contact Avon Breast Screening
Bristol Breast Care Centre
Beaufort House
Southmead Hospital
Westbury-on-Trym
BS10 5NB
A mammogram is an X-ray examination of the breasts and is a method of finding breast cancer at a very early stage.
A female mammographer will compress your breasts, one at a time between two special x-ray plates and take the x-rays. The compression only lasts a few seconds and does not cause any harm to the breasts. Compression is needed to keep the breast still and to get the clearest picture with the lowest amount of radiation possible.
Are mammograms safe?
Any x-ray involves radiation but mammograms only require a very low dose. It is about the same as the dose a person receives by flying from London to Australia and back. The risk that such a low dose could cause a cancer is far outweighed by the benefits of early detection of breast cancer.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes, but please be aware that there is limited space at some of our screening sites particularly the mobile screening vans.
Does a mammogram hurt?
Some women find mammography uncomfortable and some find it painful, as the breasts have to be held firmly in position and pressed to take a good X-ray.
If you do experience pain it usually only lasts as long as the mammogram, although it may continue for some time in a small number of women.
Does breast screening prevent breast cancer?
No. Breast screening aims to find breast cancer at an early stage when it may be too small to feel. Finding breast cancer early greatly increases your chances of successful treatment.
How long will the mammogram take?
A mammogram takes a few minutes, however your whole visit to the screening unit will take about half an hour.
I have a disability, how will this affect my screening appointment?
Please contact us to discuss your appointment, as we may need to allocate more time for your screening. Your appointment may be made at our static unit at Tower Hill, Bristol or Bristol Breast Care Centre, Southmead Hospital, where we have better disabled access.
I have a pacemaker, can I have a mammogram?
Yes, it is safe for you to have a mammogram. It is helpful if you can tell the mammographer where your pacemaker is sited.
I have a pacemaker, will this affect my mammogram?
Your pacemaker may hide the small area of breast tissue behind the pacemaker, preventing it from being seen on the X-ray. The film readers will only be able to report on the breast tissue that they can see on your mammogram.
I have breast implants can I have a mammogram?
Yes because you still have breast tissue, which should be screened. There is no evidence to suggest breast implants are damaged by mammograms.
If you have been invited to one of the mobile vans then please contact us to discuss your screening appointment as your appointment will need to be changed to the main unit so we can allocate more time for your appointment.
I have breast implants will this affect my mammogram?
Breast implants appear as a solid white area on a mammogram. This may hide some of the breast tissue preventing it from being seen on theXx-ray. The film readers will only be able to report on the breast tissue that they can see on your mammogram.
If you have implants and have been made an appointment at the mobile screening unit please contact us as your appointment will need to be changed to the main unit as the films will need to be checked for image quality before you leave.
What shall I wear for my appointment?
You will be asked to undress completely down to your waist so it is a good idea to wear separates instead of a dress.
When do I get my results?
Your results will be sent to your home address and this should be within 2 weeks. You will be advised of any expected delays at the time of your screening.
Where will the mammogram be done?
Your mammogram will be performed either at a mobile screening unit or static unit within a building, at one of our local screening sites.
Who will take my mammogram?
A female mammographer will always perform the X-ray.
Contact Avon Breast Screening
Bristol Breast Care Centre
Beaufort House
Southmead Hospital
Westbury-on-Trym
BS10 5NB
This a short information film about having a mammogram. The film has been made by and for women with a Learning Disability. It also speaks to a wider audience.
It is a collaboration project with Avon Breast Screening; North Bristol Trust, Public Health England, NHS England and produced by Biggerhouse Film.
Breast screening uses an X-ray test called a mammogram to check the breast for signs of cancer. It can spot cancers that are too small to see or feel. Mammograms are carried out by women called mammographers.
Breast Screening can help to find small changes in the breast before there are any other signs or symptoms. Early detection may mean simpler and more successful treatment. The latest research shows that the NHS Breast Screening Programme is now saving over 1400 lives every year in England.
When you arrive at the breast screening unit, the mammographer will check your details and ask you about any breast problems you may have had. If you have any questions, please ask.
To have a mammogram you need to undress to the waist so it may be easier to wear a skirt or trousers, instead of a dress. You may also wish to bring a cardigan to put around your shoulders.
The mammographer will first explain what will happen. They will then place your breast onto the mammogram machine and lower a plastic plate onto it to flatten it. This helps to keep your breast still and get clear X-rays.
The mammographer will usually take two X-rays of each breast - one from above and one from the side. They will go behind a screen while the X-rays are taken. You have to keep still for several seconds each time.
The whole appointment takes less than half an hour and the mammogram only takes a few minutes.
Some women find mammography uncomfortable and some find it painful as the breasts have to be held firmly in position and pressed to take a good X-ray. If you do experience pain it usually only lasts as long as the mammogram although, in a small number of women it may continue for some time.
Talcum Powder or Spray-on Deodrant
Please do not use talcum powder or spray-on deodorant on the day you go for breast screening as this may affect the quality of your mammogram.
Symptoms
If you have a breast symptom or are concerned about your breasts, you should contact your GP. They will decide if you need any tests or investigations.
A mammogram will pick up most, but not all, breast problems and is one of a range of tests that may be required for women with breast symptoms.
Our dedicated team, support staff and support groups are all there to answer your questions and tell you about what to expect and what your treatment involves. They can also talk to you about how you are feeling, and advise you on practical, emotional, aesthetic and financial issues.
Research is an essential part of Bristol Breast Care Centre and we may ask you during your visit whether you would like to take part in one of our research studies. Whether or not you take part is entirely your choice and will not affect your treatment. We will provide you with information to enable you to make an informed decision.
Clinical research is key to developing and improving treatments for patients now and in the future, so we really appreciate your time and contribution. All Breast Care consultants and medical staff fully support the research that is undertaken.
We know that finding breast cancers early saves lives. The FAST MRI DYAMOND study is looking to see if a new form of MRI scan, called FAST MRI, can pick up aggressive cancers even earlier than mammograms can. To find out more about our Breast Care Research, please visit our dedicated Research Hub
Contact Breast Care Research
If you would like more information about any of the research that is taking place at Bristol Breast Care Centre please call one of the team on 0117 4147014.
