So far since my appointment as a consultant surgeon at Bedford Hospital, I have treated over a thousand cases of breast cancer and I have been a clinical lead and MDT (multi disciplinary team) lead for breast cancer services provided at Bedford Hospital since 2011.

If you are presenting with pain or lumps in your breast, nipple discharge, changes in breast contour/shape or have a family history of breast cancer and are worried or would like to understand if these changes may require operating, please contact my secretary here to book an appointment.

I offer the following breast related procedures:

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

The sentinel lymph node is the lymph node that cancer cells are most likely to spread to from the original primary breast tumour. The purpose of this procedure is to remove the sentinel lymph node/ nodes and examine them to see whether they are cancerous or not. The procedure is carried out by injecting a radioactive isotope or a blue dye next to the nipple, and then making a small cut in the armpit. A device that detects radioactivity is then used to identify the sentinel lymph nodes, and these are then removed, along with any other lymph nodes that can be seen with the dye. The lymph nodes are then analysed by a pathologist.

Wide local excision (lumpectomy) with/without localisation

This is usually carried out for small breast cancers. It involves the removal of the lump or abnormality on mammogram and about a centimetre of normal breast tissue around it. The wound is closed with absorbable stitches. The localisation is needed for screen detected abnormalities (like microcalcifications) which are not palpable, and the localisation is carried out using a fine metal wire under either Ultrasound or mammographic guidance.

Mastectomy

As the name implies, it involves the removal of most of breast tissue. Following mastectomy, you could chose either immediate or delayed breast reconstruction that I provide with plastic surgeons.

Removal of benign lumps

Benign lumps generally do not need to be removed but occasionally, if there is a doubt or due to patient choice, you may consider the removal of these lumps. The operation is performed using a small incision, usually around the brown part of the central skin (areola) to get a good cosmetic outcome.

Axillary clearance

This involves the removal of most of the lymph glands under the armpit and is a form of treatment for patients with breast cancer whose initial tests show a spread of cancer to the glands under the armpit.

More information on the breast cancer related procedures can be found on the breast cancer care website here.