Pathway Dedicated to Breast Pain Only Available Across the North East and North Cumbria
The breast pain pathway was initially developed and launched in 2023 and over the last two years has rolled out across the whole of the North East and North Cumbria.
Breast pain is very common in women of all ages and whether it is described as sharp or burning pain, discomfort, a bruised sensation, throbbing or tenderness naturally causes anxiety, making patients worry about the prospect of breast cancer.
However, breast pain alone is not a symptom of breast cancer and usually clears up on its own within 3 months. Alternatively, it can be managed within primary care during this time with various treatment options, including pain relief, diet and lifestyle changes and natural remedies along with education and reassurance.
In some cases the pain will persist longer than 3 months and patients can now be referred onto the breast pain pathway in secondary care, established specifically for the management of ladies with breast pain only, in a clinic separate from that used for urgent suspected cancer referrals. The positives of which are two-fold, keeping patients’ anxiety at bay by receiving a more relaxed experience and allowing better use of resources for those waiting for breast cancer investigations.
Matei Dordea, Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, says: “The breast pain pathway is a refinement of the breast referral pathway to secondary care allowing a significant proportion of patients with a low risk of presenting with a breast cancer to be seen in a dedicated clinic. The breast pain clinic will focus on natural history of breast pain, family history and counselling.”
Further information for patients: