Breast Awareness
Breast awareness is an essential and valuable part of breast screening, so make your appointment today; it’s #timetocheck
Why have a Breast Awareness appointment?
Know what’s normal for you
Look at your breasts and feel them
Know what changes to look for
Report any changes without delay
Attend routine screening if you’re 50 or over
What happens in an appointment?
Your appointment will be booked and confirmed by email (if you have one).
If you are attending a remote (online) appointment you will also receive an email from us with your link to join your session. We suggest that you click to attend about 2 minutes earlier than your appointment so that you can get set up and ready. If you cannot connect we will call you automatically 5 minutes after your appointment has started on the number you have provided
In your session, if you are attending remotely, it is entirely up to you (depending on your surroundings) if you would like to undress. However, in face-to-face appointments our nurse will ask you undress from the waist upwards, if appropriate.
Our nurse will ask you if you check yourself and how you do this. She may ask you to demonstrate. She will also ask you if you have any concerns, family history or any other breast related questions, this may include questions about the pill, HRT or other medication you are currently taking.
If our Lady McAdden nurse is concerned about anything you discuss or find during the appointment, she will ask you to contact your GP (which is the current referral process for further investigation). If you would like to know the best way to approach this, please have a look at our referral process page.
If you have a new lump or concern, please contact your GP immediately. If you would like to discuss this concern as you are worried about contacting your GP (which you should not be, but we do understand you might be) then please telephone 01702 343288 so that one of the team can guide you.
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
I would like to attend a session but am concerned that I don’t want to undress?
You don’t have to; the Nurse will work with you to work out what is normal for you and discuss any concerns. The Nurse will have a breast simulator, where she can demonstrate and show you specific breast related information.
If you are online, you may not want to undress due to your surroundings and we can follow up with a face-to-face appointment or use photographs if easier.
Can someone else attend the appointment with me?
I have a remote appointment booked but can’t get it to work
I have recently had a baby; Can I make an appointment?
Many women experience breast changes during pregnancy.
We would not be able to offer you an appointment until you have had 3 periods since giving birth. This will give your body a chance to recover and your breasts to return to similar to preconception size.
I am breast feeding; Can I make an appointment?
As with the previous question, your breasts go through a huge change during pregnancy and feeding.
When you have finished breast feeding and have had 3 periods we would be able to offer you an appointment.
Will the nurse touch me?
Yes, the Nurse may touch you in face-to-face appointments, but only with your consent. She may, to help you understand how to check or if you have something that you think is abnormal, touch to understand what you feel.
Is this the same as you used to offer?
No, we are now focused on finding what is normal for you and ensuring that you know how to check yourself. A Nurse will not check you, only guide you in how to check yourself. She may still touch you to understand what you are trying to explain.
We do not provide Breast Checks. The Nurse will not know what is normal for you and what if anything has changed, to cause a concern. Breast Awareness will be covered and a step by step guide given how to check yourself and what to be looking out for.
Why have you changed this service?
A Nurse cannot in one session define what is normal and what has changed specifically for you. During the Pandemic, we recognised that most women lack confidence in checking themselves and how to check themself.
To enable them to find something, they need to understand their own normal and not wait for someone else to check them.
I have one breast larger than the other?
I don’t have a computer
If you have a device like a tablet or phone that has a browser, you can still attend an online appointment. However, if you prefer, we can offer a telephone consultation or face to face appointment.
I am disabled, can I access your premises?
How to book
Please note we do not charge for appointments but as an independent charity we do ask for a donation where possible
Lady McAdden offers appointments via:
Our Secure Remote (online) system (like Zoom, but no need to register), is called Cliniko – you can access using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or PC
Telephone (Although our Nurses prefer to see you if possible, in the event you cannot attend a remote or physical appointment, they are happy to discuss with you via a scheduled call)
Face to Face (at our Centre in Elmsleigh Drive, Leigh on Sea or at selected venues in the community).
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Lady McAdden Breast Cancer Trust
Registered Charity in England (1062236)
Registered company in England (03334552)
203 Elmsleigh Drive, Leigh on Sea, Essex, SS9 4JH
This website has been funded by The Pink Ribbon Foundation
This website has been funded by The National Lottery
Copyright © 2022 Registered Charity in England (1062236).
Registered company in England (03334552).
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