Breast Lump

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to referral standards and also include:

  • Clinical examination – good description of changes such as new discrete lump, new lump in pre-existing nodularity
  • Presence of asymmetrically nodularity that persists at review after menstruation
  • Abscess
  • Cyst persistently refilling or recurrent cyst
  • Note of investigations ordered and name of service referred to

Tests

  • Imaging (mammography and/or ultrasound, depending on age and degree of clinical suspicion)
  • Needle biopsy (preferably core biopsy if suspicious for cancer; FNA). This can not be organised through RHH and should be organised prior to referral with copies to clinic but should not delay referral in urgent or suspicious cases

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Breast Surgery clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Ensure that all tests are copied to Breast Surgery Clinic.

Simple analgesia, well supported bra may help.

Abscesses need to be treated with antibiotics while waiting for referral.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Unwell patient with systemic symptoms with breast abscess

Urgent / category 1

Newly diagnosed breast cancer

Strongly suspected breast cancer

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

http://canceraustralia.gov.au/clinical-practice-guidelines/breast-cancer

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).

LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201

MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923

NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926

RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.

*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment