Our state of the art breast unit provides a variety of services to the local population. We have a well-established team of specialists who work within recognised guidelines for the management of breast disorders.
We diagnose and treat thousands of new breast cancers each year.
Many of our services offer video calls as a more convenient way of having an appointment with one of our healthcare professionals. This reduces the need for you to attend the hospital physically.
If you have an appointment letter with a video appointment link and instructions, please read more on our Video appointments page.
If you have any changes in your breast or symptoms that are causing you concern, please contact your General Practitioner (GP).
If you’re experiencing symptoms that concern you please stay indoors, avoid contact with others and ring NHS 111 or go online to www.111.nhs.uk for advice.
We provide chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer.
We specialises in the rapid assessment and diagnosis of suspected breast cancer.
For suspected cancer patients, the Breast Unit offers a 'one-stop diagnostic' outpatient clinic, where patients are able to have a clinical, radiological and cytological assessment (triple assessment) in one visit, with results available on the same day. We also offer:
We have a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, radiotherapists and nurses that meets weekly to discuss the results of investigations and surgery. They follow recognised national guidelines and local protocols to agree possible treatment choices. The results of the multidisciplinary team meetings are discussed with those patients concerned and a plan of action agreed jointly.
Breast screening women between the age of 50 and 73 for mammograms (3 yearly). To contact your breast screening team, please call:
After surgery some patients are referred to an oncologist, a doctor who specialises in cancer treatment. The oncologist will discuss with the patient whether additional treatment such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiotherapy should be considered.
Radiotherapy can be given before or after surgery, or in combination with chemotherapy. It is a form of treatment using high energy x-rays or electrons and may be recommended for a patient as a course of treatment. These types of radiotherapy do not make you radioactive and you can safely mix with other people, including children, at any time.
Your treatment will be planned and administered at the hospital by specially trained teams of radiotherapy radiographers and you will be given instructions, advice, information leaflets and as necessary.
Surgery for both symptomatic and screening patients is performed at Basildon and Broomfield hospitals by our specialist surgeons and their teams.
Most operations are carried out in the Day Unit also known as daycase operations. Dates for surgery are agreed with the patient by telephone.
A full range of reconstructive surgery and more complex reconstructions are performed at our St Andrew's Regional Plastics Unit here at Broomfield Hospital.
We offer all patients undergoing mastectomy the opportunity to discuss the possibility of reconstruction either as an immediate or delayed procedure. When reconstruction is not recommended, the reasons for this decision will be explained to the patient. Patients needing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment will receive this at Southend Hospital.
After breast surgery the tissue removed is sent to the pathologist who examines the specimen.
Based upon their dissection and microscopic examination of the specimen, they are able to determine the tumour grade (how aggressive the cancer appears) and the stage (the size of the tumour and the extent to which it has already spread from the original site).
The information that the pathologist provides assists the breast surgeon, oncologist and radiotherapist in choosing the best possible treatment for each patient.
Not all patients need to have chemotherapy. Your consultant will discuss the various options with you, give you time to ask questions and come to a decision. Information sheets are available about the specific drugs used for chemotherapy, how they are given and possible side effects. Our chemotherapy unit is situated on level 2, there is dedicated parking for those patients attending for chemotherapy.
Your consultant will arrange for your first appointment to be sent direct to you. The length of time you need to spend in the unit varies with the type of chemotherapy prescribed, but your first visit will take longer. The chemotherapy nurse will spend extra time with you in private explaining in detail the treatment you will be having, side effects that you might expect and the help available to overcome side effects. There is plenty of time for questions and discussion and a friend or relative can accompany you. You will be given a selection of contact telephone numbers. If you have any worries or problems help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Whilst having your chemotherapy treatment you will be in a large room sitting in a comfortable armchair, and a friend or relative can stay with you if you wish. The room is cool so it might help to wear layers of clothing; drinks are available. Our chemotherapy nurses will help you with any concerns you have about treatment and side effects. As you leave the unit you will be given an appointment for your next treatment.
Radiotherapy can be given before or after surgery, or in combination with chemotherapy. It is a form of treatment using high energy x-rays or electrons and may be recommended for a patient as a course of treatment.
These types of radiotherapy do not make you radioactive and you can safely mix with other people, including children, at any time.
Your treatment will be planned and administered at the hospital by specially trained teams of radiotherapy radiographers and you will be given instructions, advice and information leaflets as necessary.
Our breast care nurses work full time within the unit and provide holistic care and advice throughout the patient's 'cancer journey'.
They are the first point of contact for patients should they have any problems during or after their treatment and are meet all patients at the time of diagnosis.
Advice is given on treatments, alternatives and possible side effects and a wide range of information leaflets supplements this.
Our nurses also offer practical help, emotional support and continuity of care.
Basildon - call 01268 524900 ext 8146.
Broomfield - call 01245 513551.
Southend - call 01702 385025.
Lead Breast Consultant – call 01268 524900 ext 8493.
We are open Monday to Friday, 9am and 5pm.
Breast Unit – call 01245 513405.
Symptomatic services - call 01702 385319.