The Breast Screening Assessment Clinic: second stage screening

Welcome to the Breast Screening Assessment Clinic at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. The following information is about your second stage screening appointment at the clinic, which we hope you will find useful.

General information

• Parking is available in the hospital pay and display car park.

• Please allow up to two hours for your appointment.

• Please wear separates, for example top and trousers or top and skirt, to help with your examination.

• You are welcome to bring a friend or relative with you to your appointment. However, the waiting area is not large, and examinations often take some time. This makes the waiting area unsuitable for small children.

What is second stage screening?

• Certain types of breast tissue need additional mammography views and ultrasound before a diagnosis can be made. Ultrasound is a test using high frequency sound waves (not x-rays), and is painless.

• Many women who are recalled for second stage screening are found to have normal breasts or benign (not harmful) lesions that do not need further treatment.

• Following the second stage mammography and ultrasound, a number of ladies will need a needle biopsy to sample tissue. The results of the needle biopsy will not be available immediately. A follow-up appointment will be arranged to discuss your results.

What will happen at my appointment?

• When you arrive at the Breast Screening Assessment Clinic, you will be met by the receptionist, who will ask you to check your details and then take a seat in the waiting area.

• A nurse is always available at the clinic.

• The radiographer will carry out further x-rays and show you back to the waiting area.

• The further x-rays are reviewed by a breast imaging specialist. You will then be seen by one breast specialist who will carry out a clinical examination and ultrasound.

What if I have any questions before or after my appointment?

If you need more information, please contact the Breast Screening Office on 01227 783000.

Copy letters to patients

The Government’s NHS plan said that patients should be able to receive copies of the letters written about them by one health care professional to another. If you wish to receive copies of letters about you, written as a result of your visit to the Breast Screening Assessment Clinic, please tell the radiographer you meet when you start your assessment. The radiographer will record this on your clinic notes and check the address you wish us to write to.