About your appointments
I have been referred to the Worcestershire Breast Unit by my GP – when will I hear about my appointment?
You should be seen within three weeks of your referral, and you are usually contacted by either a text message or telephone with details of your appointment.
Who will I see and what will happen at my appointment?
You will be seen by a nurse practitioner, a breast care nurse or a consultant. We will take your history and details of why you have been referred, before being examined. If you need to have any investigations, these will be done on the same day here at the Breast Unit.
Investigations could include an ultrasound (under the age of 40), or a mammogram and ultrasound (over the age of 40), and possibly a biopsy.
How long will the appointment take?
Depending on the investigations you may need, we would advise you to set aside 90 minutes to 2 hours for the full appointment, in case there is any kind of delay with patients ahead of you.
How long will I have to wait for my results?
For ultrasounds and mammograms, you will receive the results on the day while you are at the Unit.
If you have had a biopsy, the results could take up to 10 working days. Once the results are available, the clinical team will contact you.
Where is the Worcestershire Breast Unit?
Our address is:
Worcestershire Breast Unit Worcestershire Royal Hospital Charles Hastings Way Worcester WR5 1DD
Get directions here (opens in Google Maps) Worcestershire Breast Unit - Google Maps
Once on site, please follow signs for ‘Breast Unit’.
Where do I park?
The Worcestershire Breast Unit has its own small car park available for patients – whether you are at the Unit for mammograms or for a clinic appointment. Full details are on display in the car park.
We have two accessible spaces available.
There are also two other patient car parks on site at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, which are a 5-10 minute walk round to the Breast Unit.
I live in Redditch, why can’t I be seen at The Alexandra Hospital?
Information to follow.
Mammograms
I have turned 50 but I haven’t received an invite for my first mammogram yet, do I need to contact someone?
You will receive an invite for your first mammogram between the ages of 50 and 53. This is because invites are sent out on a rotational basis depending on GP surgery and where the screening vans are located. This rotation is over a 3 year period.
You need to be registered with a GP surgery to be invited for breast screening.
If you are expecting an appointment or have any concerns whatsoever, please contact our Screening department on 01905 760145.
How long does the mammogram take?
A mammogram usually only takes 6 minutes. Our friendly team of radiographers will guide you through the process as efficiently as possible.
What happens at a mammogram screening?
Breast screening is usually done by a specialist called a mammographer, who will be female. They will explain what will happen during the screening and answer any questions you have.
Before starting, the mammographer will check your details with you and ask if you have had any breast problems.
For a thorough guide on what happens at your breast screening, including some helpful dos and don’ts, please click here:
What happens at your breast screening appointment - NHS
Do mammograms hurt?
The screening can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful for some people, but any discomfort should not last long.
Please do talk to the mammographer if you are worried, and you can also ask to stop at any time.
How long do I have to wait for my results?
You should receive your results by letter, usually within 2 weeks.
I am over 70 so am no longer being seen as part of the national screening programme. I would still like to have a mammogram, is that possible?
You will be routinely invited to screenings up until your 71st birthday, but you can still be screened after this point every 3 years if you would like to. Please contact our Screening department on 01905 760145 who will be able to help you.
Who do I contact if I can no longer make my screening appointment?
Please contact our Screening department on 01905 760145 who will be able to reschedule your appointment.
Can I bring someone with me?
We would advise if possible to come alone – especially if your appointment is at one of the breast screening vans - unless you need support to attend. This is because there is limited space to wait outside of the screening room itself
Other
I am experiencing tightness following surgery, what could it be?
It’s quite common to have tightness after surgery, which is usually the scar area or could also be radiotherapy which can tighten the skin.
Continue with the exercises you have been given by your clinical team, please click the link below to access the leaflet …
You can also use some moisturiser along the scar line to help loosen the tightness. Please speak to your breast care nurse about which creams are okay to use.
If you are at all worried about the changes you feel, please contact the breast care nurses on 01905 760261.
Visit our page on help with Lymphoedema
How long will it take my hair to grow back after surgery? Can I dye it?
Visit our page on hair and wigs
Are there any support groups in our local area I can join?
Please visit our page on local support groups
Is there any support available for my partner and family?
Please see our page on partner and family support
My prothesis has been damaged, how can I get a new one?
Where else can I find support?
Link to our charity support page
National charities:
Breast Cancer Now
Information and support for anyone affected by breast cancer.
Macmillan
Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.
Cancer Research UK
Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.
Penny Brohn UK
Cancer Health and Wellbeing charity, offering information and support to cancer patients.