CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
If you have a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer, at HCA Healthcare UK you can be assured of exceptional care, from the very first moment we meet.
Our consultants and wider clinical teams are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, ensuring you receive the highest standards of clinical care and support, in safe, comfortable and welcoming environments.
As the most common cancer in the UK, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. The earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat and the higher the chance of successful treatment. Getting to know what your breasts look and feel like normally means it’s easier to spot any unusual changes and check them with your doctor.
A breast lump or mass is the most common and well-known symptom of breast cancer. But whilst many breast cancers can be felt as a lump in the breast, not all can. There are many different signs and symptoms of breast cancer, so regularly checking your breasts for anything different or new is important. This means checking your breasts, and feeling all the way up to collar bone, as well as your armpits for any changes.
Symptoms of breast cancer include:
If you have noticed a breast lump or change, or have any new, persistent or unusual symptoms, do not delay in speaking to your GP.
Regular breast screening is an opportunity to detect any irregularities at the earliest possible stage. Breast screening can detect breast cancer before any obvious symptoms develop, so it is important to ensure that you attend your regular screening mammograms. At HCA Healthcare UK we offer routine breast screening to women over the age of 40, who haven’t had a mammogram in the last 12 months. You don’t need a GP referral and can book directly at one of our breast screening clinics.
It’s important to remember that routine breast screening is to detect any early changes to your breasts, but if you notice any symptoms or changes to your breasts, don’t wait for a routine screening appointment, always see your GP or a breast specialist without delay.
If you have a family history of breast cancer, you may be worried about developing it yourself. Some breast cancers can be related to an inherited genetic risk. This means you may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer based on a history of cancer in your family.
Two of the genes which significantly increase the risk of breast cancer and can be tested for are BRCA1 and BRCA gene mutations. Some people with a family history of breast cancer choose to have a cancer genetic test to discover whether they are carrying a genetic mutation that could cause cancer.
If you are diagnosed with one of these genetic conditions, risk-reducing strategies, such as increased screening, means that many of these cancers can be avoided or caught at an early stage.
Here Dr Anju Kulkarni, Consultant Clinical Geneticist, answers some of the most common questions about the BRCA gene including what is BRCA gene testing and who should consider it, how to understand your personal risk and ways you might be able to reduce your risk of developing BRCA related cancers.
Despite breast cancer being the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the UK, there are still lots of misconceptions about people’s risk of being diagnosed, the treatment offered and whether you can do anything to lower your own risk. Mr Richard Johnson, Consultant Breast Surgeon at The Wilmslow Hospital, provides his expert opinion on some of these issues and explains why it’s so important to see your GP or breast specialist if you have any concerns.