Breast
carcinomaConditions that require referral to a surgeon with a special interest in breast disease
- Lump
- Any new discrete lump
- New lump in pre-existing nodularity
- Asymmetrical nodularity that persists at review after menstruation
- Abscess
- Cyst persistently refilling or recurrent cyst
- Pain
- If associated with a lump
- Intractable pain not responding to reassurance, simple measures such as wearing a well-supporting bra, and common drugs
- Unilateral persistent pain in post-menopausal women
- Nipple discharge
- Women under 50 with bilateral discharge sufficient to stain clothes bloodstained discharge persistent single duct discharge
- All women aged 50 and over
- Nipple retraction or distortion, nipple eczema
- Change in skin contour
- Family history of breast cancer
Women who can be managed, at least initially, in general practice
- Young women with tender, lumpy breasts and older women with symmetrical nodularity, provided that they have no localised abnormality.
- Women with minor and moderate degrees of breast pain who do not have a discrete palpable lesion.
- Women aged under 50 who have nipple discharge that is from more than one duct or is intermittent and is neither bloodstained nor troublesome.
- Asymptomatic women with minor family histories at low risk of developing breast cancer
Relative frequency of breast disorders
