Breast - 2WW
Service Overview
The Suspected Breast Cancer Service runs at NBT. This service is for patients who meet the Breast Cancer Two Week Wait criteria. The service offers consultation with diagnostics and onward referral for treatment as required.
At time of referral please issue the relevant BNSSG 2WW Patient Information Leaflet - COVID-19 edition, which is available in English and 14 additional languages. There is also an Easy Read version of the leaflet.
Referrals to NBT
Referrals must be submitted using the Suspected Breast Cancer Referral Form (word doc) via eReferral.
Please note: This service is moving to a RAS from 10/05/22. Therefore, you need to select 'send for triage' in eRS rather than selecting a date and time for dummy appointment.
*****STOP PRESS 16/09/22*****
There are significant delays for patients referred on the symptomatic breast pathway, with demand exceeding the capacity of the service. The current wait for a first appointment is approximately 45 days, and patients may not be contacted to be given their appointment for two weeks.
Please ensure patients understand there are delays in the breast pathway, both in being given an appointment and when this appointment will be. Breast patients attend a one stop diagnosis appointment and for most patients this is being maintained.
We understand this is distressing for patients and apologise for the impact this is having. There will be weekend 'mega clinics' to try to clear the backlog, as well as recruitment and investment in the breast service to expand capacity.
Appointments for abscess patients and those who need urgent review within 24 hours will continue to be provided.
Can you please ask that they do not contact the 2WW office unless they have not been given an appointment by 2weeks after referral.
Please see attached statement for further information: NBT Breast Referral Statement - 20.5.21.
To try and ensure the clinic receives the most appropriate referrals, additional information on breast care has been added to Remedy on the following:
- Axillary masses
- Breast Pain - this page includes information on the direct to mammogram pathway
- Male Breast Symptoms
- Nipple conditions
The 2WW criteria are listed on the referral form and include a section for non-2WW symptomatic breast referral (should be sent via eReferral outside of 2WW pathway but all patients normally seen within 2 weeks).
Referrals should include:
- A description of size and location of any lump
- Details of any mammogram performed in the last 3 years
- If the patient is being re-referred
- Is there a family history of breast cancer.
If advised to refer into MDT, then please submit a 2WW referral to the relevant secondary care team who will ensure that all the required information is available to enable an effective MDT discussion.
For patients with an acute breast abscess then please see the Mastitis and Breast Abscess section
Service Overview - RUH
Services provided by the Breast unit at RUH:
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A comprehensive symptomatic service for women and men of all ages with breast problems
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Referral centre for the further assessment and treatment of breast cancer from the National Screening Programme
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A screening service for asymptomatic women at increased risk of developing breast cancer, i.e. those with a strong family history or recent previous history of breast cancer
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Breast reconstruction service - in combination with surgery required for breast cancer
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Specialist breast care nurses, providing information, support and aftercare service including prosthesis fitting.
Comprehensive patient information is available on the RUH Breast Unit web site:
http://www.ruh.nhs.uk/patients/services/breast_unit/index.asp?menu_id=1
Contact details
Telephone: 01225 825882
Reception is open 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
An answer phone will be in use out-of-hours, weekends and bank holidays.
RUH - Referral Guidance
Referring patients to the Breast Unit at RUH Bath - please see the referral steps on how to select the clinic in e-Referral to RUH
Please see the RUH website for referral guidelines and forms.
Clinical Guidance
See link to NICE Cancer Guidelines (2015) for suspected Breast Cancer