
Breast Referrals
Step-by-step:
What to do if you find a change or are recalled for investigation after a mammogram
If you find a change you are not sure about and are not sure if you need to follow this process, give us a call and one of the team can guide you.

A. If you find a change in your breasts
1. Contact your GP surgery – We suggest you don’t ring at 8am with the masses. Wait until later in the day and request a TELEPHONE appointment – do not visit the surgery.
2. When your GP calls, make sure you have ready and to hand a list of your symptoms and any other details you want to share with your doctor. This may include how long you have had symptoms, what the symptoms are, what you have done to monitor (if you have) and anything else you want to discuss with the doctor.
3. On the telephone/video call, make sure you ask them to explain things you don’t quite understand and make notes if necessary. If they are referring you, make sure you ask who will contact you and in what timescale.
4. Remember that during the pandemic, GPs are still actively referring people, the Breast Clinics are open and if the GP thinks further investigation is required, they will act!
While you wait, if you would like to talk to one of the team at Lady McAdden, they will support you through this process if you need them to.
B. What to expect from your GP?
They have seen and heard it all before so try not to be embarrassed or scared. There are many reasons that there may be changes to your breasts, most of which are NOT breast cancer!
They will ask you how you found the changes, why you think there are changes, they may even ask for a picture (particularly if it is a rash). Sometimes they will ask you to monitor the changes and if you need help with this, then let us know as our Breast Awareness nurses can help you with this.
GPs all follow guidance about whether to refer you to a breast clinic. This guidance also includes an outline of how quickly someone should be seen. We’ve provided the link to that guidance so that you can read it for yourself here.
C. If you have been recalled for investigation following a mammogram
If any abnormality is found on a mammogram, then you may be called for investigation. This process is the same for someone who is referred by a GP. If you have a history of lumps or calcifications, and if you have had previous mammograms before, these will also be compared prior to you being recalled.

Then what happens?
If you have been referred to a breast clinic, firstly don’t panic.
The normal turnaround time to be seen is within 14 days, but with the pandemic this can take longer. Some clinics are working differently from others, so follow the individual guidelines where you live. If they offer you an appointment very quickly then take it and don’t panic, it just means they are trying to be efficient and see people as quickly as they can.
Remember: most people who visit the clinic will NOT have breast cancer. However it is very important that you attend your appointment so you can be fully assessed.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, clinics usually ask you to attend on your own and not arrive more than 5 minutes before your appointment time. This is to prevent the spread of the virus and to protect both you and the staff helping you. If you need special assistance, advise them when you make your appointment.
You may undertake one or all of the following tests
1. Mammogram
2. Ultrasound
3. Core Biopsy
4. Needle Biopsy
This may be in no particular order and you will be asked to fill in a questionnaire before you are seen by a specialist or nurse. This will include questions about your family history relating to breast problems, any medicines you are taking (including HRT, contraceptive pill) and details of any breast related surgery (including reductions and implants)
As part of the physical breast examination you may be asked to change into a gown or undress from your waist upwards. The doctor or nurse may feel your breasts whilst both sitting and lying down. It is normal for them to also feel your lymph nodes (glands) under your arms (axilla) and around your neck area. Physical examinations are not required in all cases.
Multiple tests may be required to get a full diagnosis and most breast clinics are working as one-stop shops where all the tests may be carried out at the same clinic. Further imaging, like MRI scans, may require multiple visits. Core biopsies take about a week to get results, so bear this in mind if you are expecting an immediate diagnosis.
If you leave the clinic without answers, then do make sure you know who is contacting you and when your next appointment should take place, or when your next appointment is scheduled for. If you have a positive diagnosis, then make sure you have written down this information as it is difficult to remember when you have just received news.
If you are being recalled following routine screening, then try not to worry too much as about 4/100 are recalled. This is more usual after your first ever mammogram because there are no others to compare it with. Something that may not look quite right may be perfectly normal for you. Sometimes this recall is because the initial images were not clear, and this called a technical recall. You are usually notified of a recall within two weeks of your routine mammogram screening by letter.
Additional Support
It is very normal to feel concerned about being referred to a breast clinic. Some of our team have experienced this personally so they understand how you feel. Our nurses are able to talk things through and answer technical questions, about breast health or cancer-related so please ask any questions you have, however silly you may feel they are. We are here to listen and support you – it’s what we do best.

The Witham Hub
Unit 17, The Grove Shopping Centre, Witham, Essex CM8 2YT
Collected 622 Bras
Raised £457
Morrisons Witham
Braintree Rd, Witham CM8 2GD
Collected 939 Bras
Raised £788
Morley Nurseries
Southend Rd, Great Wakering, Essex SS3 0PU
Collected 280 Bras
Raised £224
My Fairytale Wardrobe
Bell St, Great Baddow, Chelmsford CM2 7JS
Collected 275 Bras
Raised £238
Hollywood Babes - Thorpe Bay
Hollywood Babes , 186 The Broadwat, Thorpe Bay, Essex SS1 3ES
Collected 174 Bras
Raised £121
Coco Boo
49 Rectory Grove Leigh on Sea SS9 2HA
Collected 595 Bras
Raised £491
The Bra Consultancy
16 Edward’s Walk, Maldon CM9 5PS
Collected 395 Bras
Raised £315
Morrisons Maldon
Limebrook Way, Maldon CM9 6GG
Collected 669 Bras
Raised £602
Harwich Library
Upper Kingsway, Dovercourt, Harwich CO12 3JT
Collected 382
Raised £291
Frinton Library
59 Old Rd, Frinton-on-Sea CO13 9DA
Bras Collected 415
Amount raised £320
Brentwood Library
New Rd, Brentwood CM14 4BP
Ingatestone Library
High Street, Ingatestone CM4 9EU
Nationwide Leigh on Sea
73 The Broadway, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1PW
Funky Barnets
714 Southchurch Road , Southend-on-Sea SS1 2PS
Total collected 464
Raising £370
Tracies Nails & Beauty
108 Rectory Road, Pitsea SS13 2AH
Tesco Pitsea
Off High Road, Pitsea SS13 3JU
My Secret Wardrobe
Wickford, Essex info@mysecretwardrobe.uk
Basildon Library
Basildon Centre, The St. Martins Square, Basildon SS14 1EE
Vange Library
Southview Road, Basildon SS16 4ET
Fryerns Library
Whitmore Way, Basildon SS14 2NN
Morrisons 284 Hadleigh
175 London Rd, Hadleigh, Benfleet SS7 2RB
Collected 2157 Bras
Raised £1662
Morrisons Canvey Island
Northwick Rd, Canvey Island SS8 0SW
Collected 1675 Bras
Raised £1323
Rochford Nail Bar
8 West St, Rochford SS4 1AJ
Collected £468 Bras
Raised £370
The HAPPY Hub
Eastgate Shopping Centre Basildon SS14 1AE
Collected 602 Bras
Raised £509
Orsett Surgery
63 Rowley Rd, Orsett, Grays RM16 3ET
Collected 865 Bras
Raised £621
Mane Attraction
Hylands Parade, Wood St, Chelmsford CM2 8BW
Collected 153 Bras
Raised £140
Boo Boutique
11 Heralds Way, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford CM3 5TQ
Collected 300 Bras
Raised £232
Longfield and Tollesbury Surgeries
Princes Rd, Maldon CM9 5DF
Collected 869 Bras
Raised £473
Morrisons Grays
1 London Rd, Grays RM17 5XZ
Collected 491 Bras
Raised £316
Clacton Library
Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1SF
Total collected 298
Total raised £193
Rochford Library
8 Roche Close, Rochford SS4 1PX
Shenfield Library
Adult Community College, Hutton, Brentwood CM13 1BD
Collected 239 bras
Raising £169
Chipping Ongar Library
The Pleasance, High St, Chipping Ongar, Ongar CM5 9AB
The Ironworks - Southend
90 High St, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1JN
Waitrose and Partners Leigh on Sea
1231/1241 London Road, Leigh on Sea SS9 3JQ
Total collected 91
Total raised £75
Vange Library
Southview Road, Basildon SS16 4ET
Total collected 56
Total raised £50
Pitsea Library
Maydells, Pitsea, Basildon SS13 3DU
Total collected 91
Total raised £75
Christ Church - Stock
Christ Church, Stock, Ingatestone CM4 9BN
Westerings Primary Academy PTA
Contact The PTA, Sunny Road, Hockley, SS5 4NZ
Total collected 360
Total raised £296
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The Pink Ribbon Foundation
And also by the
The National Lottery
Copyright ©
Lady McAdden Breast Cancer Trust
Registered Charity in England (1062236)
Registered company in England (03334552)
203 Elmsleigh Drive, Leigh on Sea, Essex, SS9 4JH
Copyright © 2022 Registered Charity in England (1062236).
Registered company in England (03334552).
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