Breast Cancer

Bedford Hospital

Breast Cancer Services

Breast cancer services at Bedford Hospital are provided by the Breast Team which consists of Consultants and Clinical Nurse Specialists. 

In May 2010, a dedicated breast and bowel cancer centre was created to offer patients a 'one stop' service.  The purpose built facility, based in main outpatients, contains diagnostic and clinical facilities meaning that patients with suspected breast or bowel cancer can have diagnostic tests, results and consultations in the same place and in many cases, on the same day.

The new centre makes the service more efficient and convenient for anxious patients, and means that any treatment required can begin as soon as possible.  The new clinic also creates extra capacity which will reduce waiting times for patients with suspected breast or bowel cancer.

The Breast Team

The Breast Consultant and Clinical Nurse Specialist details are:
 
Consultants
Mr H Charfare 01234 355 122 ext: 5931  Habib.charfare@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk
Mr M Muttalib 01234 355 122 ext: 4573 Masoom.muttalib@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk

Clinical Nurse Specialists
Bridget Ashdown 01234 355 122 ext: 2041 bridget.ashdown@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk
Rachel Bryce 01234 355 122 ext: 2041 Rachel.bryce@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk
Alison Borrome01234 355 122 ext: 2041 Alison.borromeo@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk

Outpatient Appointments

Following referral, patients will be seen in outpatients by a Consultant Breast Surgeon or another member of the team within 1-2 weeks.

In May 2010, a dedicated breast and bowel cancer centre was created to offer patients a 'one stop' service.  The purpose built facility, based in main outpatients, contains diagnostic and clinical facilities meaning that patients with suspected breast or bowel cancer can have diagnostic tests, results and consultations in the same place and in many cases, on the same day.

The new centre makes the service more efficient and convenient for anxious patients, and means that any treatment required can begin as soon as possible.  The new clinic also creates extra capacity which will reduce waiting times for patients with suspected breast or bowel cancer.

Outpatient clinics take place:

Some patients may have an appointment in Radiology on the same day as their outpatient appointment.

Investigations

If it is appropriate some patients will require investigations to be performed and this will be explained by the Consultant at the initial consultation.

All patients can be referred; particularly those covered by the Anglia Cancer Network area - NHS Bedfordshire residents in North and East Bedfordshire.

Urgent referral within 2 weeks (under 2 week rule)

Refer urgently patients:

• Of any age with a discrete, hard lump with fixation, with or without skin tethering.
• Who are female, aged 30 years and older with a discrete lump that persists after their next period, or presents after menopause.
• Who are female, aged younger than 30 years:
• • With a lump that enlarges.
  • With a lump that is fixed and hard.
  • In whom there are other reasons for concern such as family history.
• Of any age, with previous breast cancer who present with a further lump or suspicious symptoms.
• With unilateral eczematous skin or nipple change that does not respond to topical treatment.
• With nipple distortion of recent onset.
• With spontaneous unilateral bloody nipple discharge.
• Who are male, aged 50 years and older with a unilateral, firm subareolar mass with or without nipple distortion or associated skin changes.

Non-urgent referral - Breast Symptomatic Referral

Consider non-urgent referral in:

• Women aged younger than 30 years with a lump.
• Patients with breast pain and no palpable abnormality, when initial treatment fails and/or with unexplained persistent symptoms (use of mammography in these patients is not recommended).

Investigations

In patients presenting with symptoms and/or signs suggestive of breast cancer, investigation prior to referral is not recommended.

Macmillan Cancer Support Rapid Referral Guidelines

Macmillan Cancer Support Rapid Referral Guidelines

Patients outside of the Anglia Cancer Network area are usually referred to Hospitals within their Cancer Network area.  NHS Bedfordshire residents living in North and East Bedfordshire are included under the Anglia Cancer Network.

South Bedfordshire patients are included under the Mount Vernon Cancer Network and usually referred to the Luton & Dunstable Hospital.

Map of Medicine Patient Pathway

Map of Medicine Patient Pathway

NICE Guidelines:

CG27 Referral for suspected cancer: full guideline
http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG27/Guidance
CG27 Referral for suspected cancer: quick reference guide
http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG27/QuickRefGuide/pdf/English
CG27 Referral for suspected cancer: information for the public
http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG27/PublicInfo/pdf/English
CG27 Referral for suspected cancer: NICE guideline
http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG27/NICEGuidance/pdf/English

Website Resources:

Female Breast Cancer:

Breast Cancer (Female) NHS Choices:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-breast-female/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Breakthrough Breast Cancer:
http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/
Breast Cancer Care:
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/
Cancer Help UK:
http://cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/
NHS Breast Screening Programme:
http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/breastscreen/index.html
Against Breast Cancer:
http://www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk/
Health Talk Online - Ductal Breast Cancer
http://www.healthtalkonline.org/Cancer/ductal_carcinoma_in_situ
Lab Tests Online UK:
http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/brca/tab/glance
Macmillan OPERA:
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Causesriskfactors/Genetics/OPERA.aspx
Breast Cancer Campaign:
http://www.breastcancercampaign.org/
World Cancer Research Fund:
http://www.wcrf-uk.org/cancer_prevention/types_of_cancer/index.php
Macmillan Cancer Support - Breast Cancer
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Breast/Breastcancer.aspx
Macmillan Cancer Support - Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/BreastDCIS/DCIS.aspx

Male Breast Cancer:

Breast Cancer (Male) NHS Choices:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer-of-the-breast-male/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Breakthrough Cancer - Male Breast Cancer:
http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/our_work/our_research/researching_breast_cancer/male_breast_cancer.html
Breast Cancer Care - Male:
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/about-breast-cancer/men-breast-cancer
Cancer Help UK - Breast Cancer in Men:
http://cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/type/breast-cancer/about/types/breast-cancer-in-men
Macmillan Cancer Support - Breast Cancer in Men:
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Breastmale/Breastcancerinmen.aspx
Male Health:
http://www.malehealth.co.uk/node/19115

Cancer Networks

Anglia Cancer Network - for residents from Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire
http://www.angliacancernetwork.nhs.uk/