661 Can a breast rapid diagnosis clinic work in a district general hospital?

Abstract

A Breast Rapid Diagnosis Clinic (BRDC) was set up on 1 October 1993 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the clinic and triple assessment in managing patients with breast disease. 558 new patients were referred to the BRDC in the first six months, all patients being seen within 10 days of referral. A rise in referrals was noted but not a rise in the number of diagnosed breast cancers. 74 (13%) were diagnosed with breast cancer (19 screen detected). Of the symptomatic cases 80% had a diagnosis of breast cancer established by triple assessment at the first visit. 190 patients (34%) had fine needle aspiration cytology with immediate results and 387 patients (69%) same day breast imaging. All symptomatic breast cancers had triple scores greater than 8 (8–15). Only 7 patients with benign breast change had triple scores greater than 8. Patients can be seen with short waiting times and be expeditiously diagnosed and managed using triple assessment. A Breast Rapid Diagnosis Clinic (BRDC) was set up on 1 October 1993 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the clinic and triple assessment in managing patients with breast disease. 558 new patients were referred to the BRDC in the first six months, all patients being seen within 10 days of referral. A rise in referrals was noted but not a rise in the number of diagnosed breast cancers. 74 (13%) were diagnosed with breast cancer (19 screen detected). Of the symptomatic cases 80% had a diagnosis of breast cancer established by triple assessment at the first visit. 190 patients (34%) had fine needle aspiration cytology with immediate results and 387 patients (69%) same day breast imaging. All symptomatic breast cancers had triple scores greater than 8 (8–15). Only 7 patients with benign breast change had triple scores greater than 8. Patients can be seen with short waiting times and be expeditiously diagnosed and managed using triple assessment.