Further Tests

You have been invited back for further tests because your breast x-rays did not give us enough information and more detail is needed before we can decide on a result.

This recall appointment is part of routine screening and for most women invited back nothing of concern will be found.

If you would like specific information about the reason for your recall you may find it helpful to speak to one of our breast care nurses. The breast care nurse will have access to your records and will be able to give more personal information. Please feel free to contact us.

About 5 out of every 100 women who have screening will be recalled for assessment. 4 out of 5 of these women will be found to have a normal result.

When you report to the receptionist she will check your details and ask you to take a seat in the waiting room.

One or more of the following tests may be performed:

Breast Examination: The doctor / practitioner will talk to you about your mammograms, will ask you some questions about your general health and will then examine your breasts.

Mammograms: It may be necessary for you to have another or different X-Ray taken.

Ultrasound: The doctor performs this – it is completely painless. Ultrasound is the same test pregnant women have to let them see a picture of their baby. It will show us a picture of your breasts. This will give the doctors different information from a mammogram.

Cytology: Sometimes the doctor may want to pass a fine needle into the breast to withdraw fluid from a cyst or take a sample of tissue.

Breast Biopsy: A small number of women may require a breast biopsy. This is the removal of a small piece of tissue for examination which can be done using an x-ray or ultrasound machine. Most women will NOT need a biopsy.

Most of these tests can be done during your visit and the doctor will usually be able to give you the results on the same day. If it has been necessary to carry out cytology or a biopsy, the sample is sent to the Pathology Lab for testing so it would be necessary to arrange a further appointment for you to come back for the result.

Most women who come to the Assessment Clinic will NOT be found to have anything seriously wrong. If everything is normal we will screen you again at the routine 3 year interval.