Breast cancer

Key Staff

Surgeons

Mr Wail Al-Sarakbi, Clinical lead
Miss Sarah Horn
Mr Sanjay Joshi
Miss Lubna Noor
Miss Carol Norman
Miss Sabrina Bezzaa

Breast unit office pod
Tel : 020 8401 3405 Email : ch-tr.breast@nhs.net

Nursing and support team

Gloria Yankson, Lead CNS
Kate Breen, CNS
Ryannah Tagoe, CNS
Svetlana Rudane, CNS
Sarah Madigan and Magdalena Sora, Macmillan Support Officers

Working hours : Monday to Friday 9.00-17.00

Tel : 020 8401 3000 Ext 3652 Email : ch-tr.bcn@nhs.net

About Breast cancer

Breast cancer is abnormal cells growth (tumour) in the breast tissue. It is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK. Men can also get breast cancer.

For more information about breast cancer in women

For more information about breast cancer in men .

What are the tests to confirm the diagnosis?

The breast service in Croydon University Hospital offers breast assessment and diagnostic clinics several days in a week for both women and men. Individuals who have concerns about their breast health can consult their GP for referral to us.

Please read this Patient information leaflet for urgent referrals explains why your GP has referred you urgently to hospital and what you need to do . Also available in Arabic ; Bengali ; Bengali (Sylheti) ; Gujarati ; Polish ; Portuguese ; Punjabi ; Romanian ; Spanish ; Tamil ; Turkish ; Urdu

At the breast clinic, they will have more tests and scans to check for breast cancer or other breast conditions. These may include:

an examination of your breasts
a breast X-ray ( mammogram )
an ultrasound of your breasts
taking a small sample of cells ( biopsy ), usually using a needle, to test for breast cancer and look for certain proteins in the breast cancer cells (which can help decide which treatments are best)

The results of these tests can show the stage/extent of your cancer, and if the cancer has been caused by certain changes in your genes.

This will also help your specialist team decide what treatment you need

For more information on Tests and next steps for breast cancer in women - NHS

For more information on Tests and next steps for breast cancer in men - NHS

Macmillan information: A-Z Diagnostic tests

What treatment are available?

The treatment you'll have for breast cancer depends on:

the size of the cancer
if it has spread to other parts of your body
if the cancer has certain genetic changes
your age and general health

You may be offered a combination of treatments including surgery , chemotherapy , radiotherapy , hormones therapies and targeted medicines .

Treatments are offered in collaboration with the Royal Marsden Hospital and St George’s Hospital University NHS Trust.

Your specialist treatment team will:

explain the treatments, the benefits and side effects
work with you to make a treatment plan that's best for you
help you to manage the side effects of treatment

If you have any questions or worries, you can talk to your specialist team.

For more information on Treatment for breast cancer in women - NHS

For more information on Treatment for breast cancer in men - NHS

Macmillan information: Making treatment decisions

Macmillan information: A - Z treatments - drugs

Macmillan information: After Treatment

Personalised cancer care

Personalised cancer care allows you to take an active role in the way your care is planned and delivered by identifying your concerns and support needs. It puts you in control of your care, with help from your specialist cancer team.

There are lots of things you can do to look after your own health during and after cancer treatment. Some of this can be done with the involvement of your clinical team, such as physical activity and dietary modifications

Here are the key elements of personalised care for our cancer patients:

Personalised Assessment and Care Planning
Access to health and wellbeing information and support
End of treatment summaries to support you with understanding and managing impacts of cancer—also shared with your GP so they can also support you.
Stratified Follow up when you have finished treatment or are living with cancer.