Breast Care Centre

Overview

The aim of the Specialist Breast Care Centre at Bon Secours Hospital Cork is to provide patients with rapid access to our triple assessment clinic. Your GP has referred you to the breast clinic based on the National Cancer Control Programme guidelines for the treatment of patientʼs with symptomatic breast problems. The breast multidisciplinary team includes surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists and nurses. This team works together in order to ensure patients are seen and investigated promptly and once diagnosed, receive the highest standard of individually planned treatment and care.

Triple assessment involves the following:

• Clinical History and Breast Exam
• Mammogram / Ultrasound
• Biopsy if necessary

Getting to the clinic:

The Specialist Breast Care Centre is located on the 3rd Floor. Enter the hospital through the main entrance, turn right on the corridor and continue to the end of the corridor, go around to the right at the double doors. At the end of this short corridor turn left and you will see a lift on your left hand side. Take the lift to the 3rd floor, or alternatively take the stairs, located beside the lift. If you require assistance please go to main reception.

When you arrive:

Check in with the receptionist. You may be asked to complete a short form which includes questions about any family history of breast problems and any medications which you are taking e.g. (blood thinners such as Aspirin, Warfarin, Plavix). You are welcome to bring someone with you but they may be asked to wait in the waiting room.

What to expect at the clinic:

You will be shown to a consult room and asked to undress to the waist and change into a gown which will be provided. A Consultant Breast Surgeon will see you first. He/She will ask you for details of your symptoms. This will be followed by a breast examination. The doctor will then determine what further test you may require. 

After your triple assessment, you will be seen by your breast surgeon. Follow up care will be discussed. You will then be advised to make an appointment with the receptionist before you leave.

Referrals 

Referrals from a GP or consultant should be sent via Healthlink. 

Appointments

Patients are offered the earliest available appointment once a referral has been received. For symptomatic patients who require a review with a breast surgeon, referrals can be sent via Healthlink using the Breast Clinic section.

Do not use this for asymptomatic mammogram patients as it forces you to select a symptom such as breast pain which may lead to the patient been seen in clinic.  For asymptomatic patients please use the Radiology form on Health Link and specify ‘mammogram’ and complete the clinical history. Referrals can also be sent via email to [email protected].

All attempts will be made to see the patient promptly and at the scheduled time. Please allow up to 3 to 4 hours for a first visit as a clinical assessment, mammogram and ultrasound or minor procedure may be required. The secretary will ring the patient to confirm their appointment time, insurance details and to outline the costs of the consultation, scans and any procedures that may be carried out. A letter or text confirming the patient’s appointment will be sent to the patient.

Billing and insurance

Bon Secours Hospitals have direct settlement agreements in place with all main health insurers. To check if your health insurance policy covers you for your procedure, please try our check your cover tool or contact your insurer. 

If you do not have private health insurance or you are not covered for a procedure we also have competitive self-pay options. For more information on costs, please contact the hospital directly and they can speak with you about your specific case.

Breast Awareness

Whatever your age, size or shape it’s important to take care of your breasts. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, so it’s important to look after your breasts by being breast aware.Being breast aware is an important part of caring for your body. It means getting to know how your breasts look and feel, so you know what is normal for you. You can then feel more confident about noticing any unusual changes. Breast changes are not usually accompanied by other physical symptoms, so even if you feel well it is still important to visit your GP and get any changes checked out.

There’s no right or wrong way to check your breasts. Try to get used to looking and feeling your breasts regularly. You can do this in the bath or shower, when you use body lotion, or when you get dressed. There’s really no need to change your everyday routine. Just decide what you are comfortable with and what suits you best.  Remember to check all parts of your breast, your armpits and up to your collarbone.

The breast awareness 5-point code

• You should know what is normal for you.
• Know what changes to look for.
• Look and feel.
• Tell your GP about any changes straight away.
• Go for breast screening when invited.

Hereditary breast cancer

Breast cancer that runs in a family is called ‘hereditary breast cancer’. The information on this page and the factsheet describes what hereditary breast cancer is, how it is passed on, and the importance of family history in guiding the search for changes in genes that can lead to cancer. Even though this factsheet is mainly aimed at women, it may also be relevant to men. If breast cancer runs in your family, your GP can refer you to the Specialist Breast Care Centre where you will be assessed by a consultant and advised of follow up surveillance and treatment where necessary.

How common is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is now the second most common cancer in Ireland. It affects over 2,000 women in Ireland every year. It is less common in women under the age of 30 and occurs more often in women over the age of 50. Men also develop breast cancer but this is very rare and about 15 men develop breast cancer each year in Ireland.

What causes breast cancer?

The cause of breast cancer is still not fully known. A woman has a 1 in 12 lifetime chance of developing breast cancer but some women are at higher risk of developing the disease. Experts believe that between 5–10% of breast cancer cases are caused by changes that have been passed on in certain key genes.

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

There are some factors that increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer over which we have no control.
These include:

• Being female
• Getting older
• Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
• Early menarche (starting your periods before the age of 12)
• Late menopause (change of life after the age of 55)
• Other factors that can slightly increase risk include:
• Being overweight
• Not being physically active
• Hormone Replacement
• Therapy (HRT)
• Contraceptive pill use
• A history of benign breast disease
• First pregnancy after age of 30
• Too much alcohol use
• Smoking tobacco