Breast Surgery

Last updated: Wednesday 18 September 2024

General introduction

The main work of the Breast Surgery Team is to treat patients with breast cancer. The first type of treatment for breast cancer is usually surgery followed by chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone or biological treatments, if needed. The type of surgery and further treatment depends on the type of breast cancer detected.

The service is mainly based at our newly built Breast Care Centre within Halton Hospital, Captain Sir Tom Moore Building. Any complex surgery takes place at Warrington Hospital.

The centre is fully equipped to deliver a modern breast service with two digital mammography suites including tomography, two ultrasound clinic rooms, consultation and counselling rooms.

How to access this service

If you have any problems with or concerns about your breasts such as changes or lumps, you will need to make an appointment with your GP in the first instance. They will ask about symptoms, family history, menopausal status, other medical history, medication, and carry out an examination.

If required, your GP will refer you to a breast clinic and arrange further tests which may include a mammogram, ultrasound, or an imaging scan called tomography (with or without biopsy).

You could be referred to the Breast Care Team:

  • following screening if any changes have been identified in a mammogram. Breast screening is a way of finding breast cancer at an early stage, when it is too small to be felt or seen
  • from the Family History Assessment Service, if any changes are identified in a surveillance mammogram or MRI
  • from other services if there is any incidental breast-related finding on scans performed for other medical reasons

If you have a significant family history of breast or ovarian cancer you should contact your GP and check the eligibility to be referred to the Family History Assessment Service.

About the team

The team consists of four consultant surgeons, two of whom deliver a comprehensive oncoplastic and breast reconstructive service, supported by three specialty doctors.

There are four clinical nurse specialists currently supporting the department, including a dedicated metastatic breast care nurse. 

We provide this service at