We understand that it’s tough when you receive a cancer diagnosis or suspect a health problem. And that’s why at GenesisCare we invest in the latest technology and techniques to give you the best possible life outcomes. Our breast cancer specialists will be with you every step of the way and if you have any questions, we’re only a phone call away.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. It develops when cells in the breast begin to grow abnormally. They multiply quickly to form a lump or tumour. Both women and men can get breast cancer, but it’s rarer in men. The risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer by age 85 for women is 1 in 8, and 1 in 100 for men.
Non-invasive breast cancer
Non-invasive breast cancer is when the abnormal cells haven’t spread from their original location.
Types of non-invasive breast cancer include:
Invasive breast cancer
Invasive breast cancer means the cancer cells have spread to nearby tissue.
Types of invasive breast cancer include:
Common symptoms of breast cancer include:
In most cases, breast cancer is diagnosed using a mammogram, a type of X-ray. You may also have an ultrasound scan and, in most cases, a biopsy (where a sample of tissue is taken to check for cancer).
Some women with dense breasts may also need to have a breast MRI scan. This provides a much more detailed image to help identify if cancer is present.
If you suspect a problem, or notice a change in your breasts, it’s best to get your symptoms checked as soon as possible.
Our one-stop private breast screening clinics at Maidstone and Milton Keynes are held throughout the week, so we can arrange an appointment that works for you.
Changes to your breast may be a sign of cancer so it’s important that you are familiar with your breasts, and know what is normal for you. Some women for example, find their breasts feel tender or lumpy at certain times of the month. Are you breast aware?
In most cases, treatment for breast cancer begins with surgery to remove the tumour. Sometimes this is followed by radiotherapy or a combination of chemotherapy and then radiotherapy. You may also be offered hormone treatments.
No matter what treatment you’re recommended, we have state-of-the art evidence-based technology and treatment protocols to provide the best possible life outcomes.
In most cases, treatment for breast cancer begins with surgery to remove the tumour. Sometimes this is followed by radiotherapy, or a combination of chemotherapy and then radiotherapy. You may also be offered hormone treatments.
No matter what treatment you’re recommended, we have state-of-the art evidence-based technology and treatment protocols to provide the best possible life outcomes.
Breast radiotherapy
With no waiting lists to worry about, you’ll get fast access to the latest breast cancer treatments. These precisely target abnormal cells while minimising side-effects and avoiding healthy tissue.
What is radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy is a highly effective treatment for breast cancer.
If you have radiotherapy, it’s important to ensure the radiation always reaches the right place and avoids vital organs such as your heart. This is just one of the reasons why we continually invest in the latest proven technologies and treatments and offer a number of techniques to improve the accuracy of your treatment. These can be combined to deliver the most precise dose of radiotherapy to treat your breast cancer.
By combining daily image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT), we are able to provide a superior and easier treatment experience, including:
Deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) is a technique used in radiotherapy to reduce the risk of damage to your heart or lungs. If you have left-sided breast cancer, we’ll show you how to use the technique successfully.
During treatment, you’ll be asked to take a deep breath, and hold this while the treatment is delivered. By taking a deep breath in, your lungs fill with air, and your heart will move away from your chest.
We are leading the way in how radiotherapy is used to treat breast cancer in the UK by also offering the following recognised techniques:
Partial breast radiotherapy (PBI)
This technique isn’t widely available in the UK. PBI allows us to guide treatment to just the affected area rather than treat the whole breast. Research has shown this technique reduces breast skin thickening and internal scaring from radiotherapy.
Partial breast radiotherapy minimises the dose of radiotherapy to the lung on the same side as the treated breast, as well as the dose to the heart.
This treatment is best suited to patients who have been diagnosed with early breast cancer that hasn’t spread to the nearby lymph nodes. Your consultant will discuss whether partial breast radiotherapy is right for you during your appointment.
Simultaneous integrated boost (SIB)
SIB is a radiotherapy technique that delivers a higher dose per fraction (or treatment session) to the affected breast area compared to the rest of the breast. By doing so, it reduces the chance of cancer returning to the breast more effectively. The treatment schedule is also reduced by a full week.
This treatment is best suited to patients eligible for an extra dose to the affected breast area, called a breast boost.
At GenesisCare you’ll always have a personalised treatment plan specific to your condition and circumstance.
After you have had the chance to discuss your treatment options with your consultant, you may want to have your radiotherapy treatments at one of our centres. As with all private healthcare providers, we will need a referral from your consultant.
So, whether you have private medical insurance (PMI) or decide to self-pay, if you decide to have treatment at a local GenesisCare centre, you’ll need to ask your consultant for a referral.
Many of our patients find it useful to visit their local centre before starting treatment. If you’d like to do this, please get in touch and we’ll arrange a convenient appointment when you can come in and meet the team.
Once you’re referred to us, a member of our patient support team will contact you to arrange your treatment planning appointment.
They’ll talk you through what to expect, discuss practical things, like transport to and from the centre, and answer any questions you may have, including how to pay for your treatment.
After the call we’ll send confirmation of your planning appointment and details of your treatment appointment schedule. We’ll also send you information about your planning CT scan and practical information about your treatment to share with others as you wish.
When you arrive at the centre, you’ll be met by one of our patient support team. During this one-hour appointment, you’ll:
We’ll also give you a tour of the centre so that you know where everything is and arrange your referral and wellbeing assessment.
Top tips
Radiotherapy is usually delivered in small daily doses called ‘fractions’ over 3-5 weeks. Each session typically takes between 10 and 30 minutes.
When you arrive, your radiographer will talk you through your treatment plan.
You may find these patient stories particular helpful.
Top tips
You will usually have a daily appointment, Monday to Friday, over 3-5 weeks.
At the end of your first week, we’ll ask you to share your first impressions by completing a quick survey.
If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to one of the team, either at your next appointment or over the phone.
There are some common side-effects of radiotherapy which your local team will discuss with you.
Common side-effects for breast cancer radiotherapy include:
Your radiographer will talk through the possible longer-term side-effects and what to do if you have any questions or concerns. But if you have any problems, please just pick up the phone and call us.
Before you leave, we’ll schedule a follow-up call to check how you are in 2-3 weeks. Your side-effects could be more prominent for up to 10 days after your last radiotherapy treatment.
Once your treatment course has finished, we’ll send a report to your oncologist and GP, so they’ll both have details of your treatment.
Follow-up
We’ll call you as scheduled. Your oncologist will also arrange a follow-up appointment.