Breast Clinics

Breast symptoms, such as breast pain or a lump, may in fact be caused by normal breast changes or a benign (not cancer) breast condition. However, if you notice any changes in your breasts, it is important to see your GP as soon as you can.

Once your GP has assessed you, they may wish to refer you to the specialist breast team here at Chesterfield Royal Hospital for further assessment.

Your appointment should be arranged before you leave your GP surgery, or your GP will tell you what you need to do next.

Your breast clinic appointment is usually within 2 weeks from when your GP referred you to our new patient clinic (also known as the 2-week-wait symptomatic breast clinic).

Our breast unit is actively involved in the training of junior doctors, medical students and nursing students. We will always seek your permission before a student can observe your consultation or examination.

How to check your breasts

See Breast Cancer Now's guide on how to check your breasts, what to look out for and when to report it to your GP. 

What happens at my appointment -

Please allow 2-3 hours for your appointment. Our waiting area space is quite small, so please only bring one person with you, if you wish to.

Your appointment will be in the mammography department at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, please allow between 2-3 hours for this appointment.

You will be seen by one of our specialist breast clinicians and a female chaperone will also be present. We have male and female doctors in our team.

The specialist breast clinician will ask you some questions about your symptoms and your general health. Please bring a list of any medication that you are currently taking.

The breast clinician will examine you - you will need to undress from the waist upwards. They will then decide as to whether you require further tests, which might include a mammogram, ultrasound scan and/or biopsies. These tests will usually be carried out at this same appointment.

You will be informed of the result of your mammogram and/or ultrasound scan by the end of the appointment. However, if biopsies are taken, the results take longer because these have to be examined carefully under the microscope in the pathology laboratories. The clinician will discuss with you how to obtain the results of the biopsy which can be in the form of a follow-up clinic appointment, a letter in the post or a phone call. 

How do I change my appointment?

If you need to change your appointment please phone the number on your referral letter, or contact the New Appointments department on 01246 512673.

We see individuals who have had either biopsies, an operation or additional investigations in this clinic to discuss the test results and all treatment options which are available to the individual and together we make a plan for any further treatment that may be required. 

For patients who have had surgery for breast cancer, Breast Cancer Now has a leaflet to help you understand your pathology results.

This clinic is for patients who wish to consider reconstructive surgery after breast cancer surgery. We also see individuals who have been referred by their GP for consideration of breast reduction or breast asymmetry surgery.

All 4 Consultants perform reconstructive surgery.

Read more about Reconstruction from Breast Cancer Now.

Ladies who choose to wear a breast prosthesis following a mastectomy, are encouraged to make an appointment with our fully trained and very experienced specialist fitters.

At this appointment, in a private room, our specialist fitters will provide expert guidance to help individuals make the right choice to find the prosthesis which best suits their needs. Individuals will have the opportunity to try on many different styles of breast prosthesis and suitable bra advice will be given.  

We also see ladies who are referred by their GP for help with breast asymmetry, where we can fit you with a partial prosthesis. 

Read more about breast prosthesis fittings and bras from Breast Cancer Now.

This may involve attending the hospital several times a week for patients who have had reconstruction surgery or who have complex wound healing issues until their wound is healed, or they become suitable to be treated by the practice nurse at the GP surgery.

Long-term Cancer Follow-up clinics are for patients who have completed their breast cancer treatment. These appointments are usually at year 3 and year 5 after diagnosis.

Patients will be examined and have the opportunity to discuss any issues or worries they might have post-treatment. Any further follow-up and potential treatments will be discussed and arranged if needed. 

Patients with a positive family history of breast cancer are referred by their GP and are seen in this clinic for an assessment of their risk. Eligible patients are referred to have mammograms before the age of 50 or can be referred to the Clinical Genetics team.

Patients who experience a build-up of healing fluid (seroma) following breast and axillary (armpit) surgery may need to attend this clinic. The fluid can be drained in the clinic.

See our Seroma Leaflet for more information.

Patients who are to undergo reconstructive, reduction, asymmetry or risk-reducing surgery attend a pre-operative counselling session with a Breast Care Nurse Specialist. At this appointment, the nurse will show you a selection of photographs of surgery outcomes. If you consent to have photographs taken pre-operatively, this can usually be arranged when you attend this appointment. 

Breast pain is a very common problem which causes a great deal of worry and anxiety. For most people, the pain settles naturally within a few weeks but some people have more persistent problems. People tend to worry about breast pain because they are concerned about whether it could be related to breast cancer. Extensive research into this issue has confirmed that breast pain (without any other breast abnormality) is NOT a sign of breast cancer. There is therefore no need for patients to undergo mammograms or scans for breast pain alone. 

Most individuals with breast pain will be successfully managed by their GP. For the minority of people who continue to have problems, GPs can now access a new breast pain clinic based in the community. The clinics run at Ashgate Manor GP practice in Chesterfield and at London Road Community Hospital in Derby. Patients will be able to choose the location for their appointment. They must be referred to the Breast pain clinic by their GP and cannot self-refer. People attending the breast pain clinic will be examined by an experienced Breast Advanced Nurse Practitioner and will complete a Family History Questionnaire.

This will provide a personal risk assessment that will be shared with their GP. Anyone who is found to have a breast lump or any other abnormality of their breast tissue will be directly referred to the hospital for further assessment. Also, individuals who are found to have a significant family history of breast cancer will be offered early mammograms and/or genetic testing depending on the precise details of their family history. However, for the majority of people attending the community-based breast pain clinic they will be offered clear advice and reassurance. Early feedback from people attending this clinic shows extremely high satisfaction ratings.