I have an assessment appointment
What to expect
Please bring your Medicare card.
Arrive 10 minutes early so your paperwork can be processed.
Wear a two-piece outfit (a top with pants or a skirt). You will need to remove your top for the mammogram.
Please do not use deodorant, talcum powder or creams on the day of your appointment as these can affect your mammogram results.
It’s a good idea to bring your doctor’s details with you so your results can be shared.
Your assessment appointment can take between two to four hours so it’s a good idea to bring a water bottle and some snacks.
The breast team
At the assessment clinic, you’ll meet our team of assessment specialists who will support you during your assessment.
Our highly trained specialists taking care of your assessment can include:
The nurse counsellor will help you to understand all the information you are told about your assessment appointment. She’ll be there to support you before, during and after your assessment, to discuss any concerns you may have.
The radiographer with substantial experience working in breast imaging may take additional images of your breast(s) during your appointment.
The sonographer with substantial experience working in Breast Imaging may perform an ultrasound of your breast(s) during your assessment appointment
The radiologist is a specialist doctor who will look at the images of your breasts. The radiologist may also perform an ultrasound or other tests (such as a needle biopsy) if these are required.
The medical officer may perform a clinical examination and/or other tests if needed.
The surgeon is a specialist doctor who may perform a clinical examination of your breasts.
Time at appointment
Your assessment appointment can take between two to four hours. The amount of time required will depend on the tests that you need. Our team of specialist doctors will decide which tests you require on the day.
Tests
Our doctors are trained to perform physical breast exams to look for changes that might need further investigation. A health care professional performs a physical examination by feeling the breasts.
Extra mammograms are taken to give doctors a closer look at the area of the breast where the abnormality was noticed at your breast screen. Sometimes extra views may be uncomfortable, if you are experiencing excessive discomfort, ask that the procedure be stopped, and this will happen immediately.
Ultrasounds use sound waves to show detail of breast tissue. Gel is used on the breast and a probe is held against the skin. There are no risks associated with an ultrasound and it should not be painful or uncomfortable. Ultrasounds are proven to be a good way of investigating abnormalities seen on a breast screen.
Needle biopsies involve a doctor using a needle to take a small sample of breast tissue from the part that needs checking. The sample is then tested to see if it’s cancer. You may need to have a local anaesthetic that will numb an area of your breast, but you’ll be awake.
Volunteers
Our wonderful volunteers provide support and offer comfort to clients who may feel nervous about their breast screens and follow-up assessment appointments.
After my appointment
Results
After your tests, a team of doctors will look at your results. You’ll usually get your results on the same day, but some may take longer.
Re Invitation
Most women who attend an Assessment Clinic will be told that no signs of breast cancer were found and will be invited to come back for screening as usual in two years’ time.
A small number of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. If this happens to you, you will meet with the doctor and nurse counsellor who will discuss the findings and explain what will happen next. You will be referred back to your doctor who will arrange a referral for your ongoing care.
Aftercare
After your breast biopsy, we will place a sterile dressing on the small entrance site. When showering, avoid warm- hot water on your breast until the next day.
Wound care advice:
- Steri strip – Will fall off in approximately one week.
- Clear splash proof dressing – The wound needs to be kept clean and dry, pat dry after showering. Remove after 48 hours, earlier if wet or skin irritation occurs.
- Ice pack- Keep ice pack on biopsy site for 4-6 hours after biopsy.
- Wear a well fitted bra to support your breast tissue and hold your icepack in place.
You may experience some mild discomfort and bruising. If you need to take something for discomfort, take Paracetamol (if allowed by doctor). DO NOT TAKE ASPRIN, NUROFEN OR DISPRIN.
You may resume normal activity immediately, however, do not participate in strenuous activities for 24 hours.
Seek medical advice either with your GP or your local hospital if any of the following occurs:
- you notice redness, heat, swelling or excessive pain around the biopsy site. If this occurs, you may need antibiotics.
- your wound start to bleed when you go home, apply pressure, and ice to the biopsy site and contact the nurses in business hours. If the bleeding does not stop, you need to see your GP or go to your local hospital.
BreastScreen nurses can be contacted on 3350 7422 in business hours Monday-Friday 7.00am – 3.30pm for assistance. After hours please contact your GP.
I am a support person/carer
You may wish to bring a carer, friend or support person to sit with you while you wait, however they will not usually be allowed in mammogram room.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
If you are Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or identified as both, you will be given a Sistas Shawl when you attend your breast screen at Brisbane Northside locations, which you can use as a privacy wrap during the mammogram to provide you with a sense of safety and comfort.
The Sistas Shawl features “A Woman’s Dreaming” artwork by Sharon McEvoy.
I want to provide feedback
If you would like to provide feedback to BreastScreen Queensland Brisbane Northside services, please complete our feedback form.
Frequently Asked Questions
You have been asked back for further tests because there is an area on your mammogram (breast screen) that needs further investigation.
Most people who are called back for further tests do not have breast cancer.
Most people will be told that no signs of breast cancer were found at the assessment visit and will be invited to come back for screening as usual in two years’ time.
A very small number of women – about 6 out of 1000 – who have a breast screen will be diagnosed with breast cancer. If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, one of our doctors or a nurse counsellor will talk to you about your results. They’ll also talk to you about what will happen next, and where you can get more information and support.
For more information please visit the BreastScreen Queensland website or one of the resources below:
Contact
BreastScreen Queensland Northside Service
Location: 534 Hamilton Road,
Chermside QLD 4032
Phone: (07) 3350 7444
Website: www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au