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FAQ on
Breast Health Center
Part I: General Information
| What are the office hours
of the Breast Health Center? |
The Breast Health Center is open to patients from Sunday
to Friday, and closed on Saturdays and Public Holidays.
For further inquiries, please telephone our staff on:
2276 7333.
| Is it
necessary to be referred by a General Practitioner
before making an appointment? |
Our staff can arrange a Specialist booking on your behalf,
so just contact us directly.
| How do I arrange a booking? |
Please telephone us on: 2276 7333 and our staff will arrange
an appointment with a Specialist.
| What do I do if I wish to cancel a booking?
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If it is necessary for you to cancel your booking, please
notify the Breast Health Center staff immediately, by
telephoning them on: 2276 7333.
| What can I expect in regard to the cost? |
The Breast Health Center provides multiple flexible Breast
Examination Packages for patients with different needs.
Additional information is also available in the Breast
Health Center Leaflet, or on our hospital website: www.twah.org.hk.
Your doctor will also supply you with any information
you require at the time of your consultation.
| Acceptable methods of payment? |
Payment by cash, credit card, or EPS is acceptable.
Part II: About Our Breast
Health Center
| When will the Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital
Breast Health Center commence operation? |
The Breast Health Center commenced operation in November
of 2007.
| What services will the Center
provide? |
The Breast Health Center will provide a full range of
in-house breast health services, such as screening, clinical
examinations, treatment, counseling, and aftercare.
| Will there be a specialist support team available
in the Breast Health Center? |
Our Breast Health Center will be supported by an experienced
team of specialists, comprising breast surgeons, oncologists,
radiologists, plastic surgeons, experienced nurses, physiotherapists,
pathologists and counselors, who together, will share
the care of each patient, offering individual tailor-made
treatment plans.
| Does the Breast Health Center have a special
feature? |
Our Center provides a multidisciplinary team of specialists,
offering individual tailor-made treatment plans, however,
we also have the advantage of female specialists on our
staff, which naturally reduces the reluctance and embarrassment
many women would otherwise feel when seeking advice on
breast health. Using state-of-the-art technology and the
one-stop service we offer, we are able to provide an accurate
diagnosis and an updated treatment plan.
Part III : About the Breast
Examination
| When is it necessary to have a breast examination? |
Women should begin examining their breasts from the age
of 20, or after the first menstrual cycle. It is advisable
to carry out self examination of the breasts monthly,
and undergo regular check-ups with your doctor every 2-3
years. For women over the age of 35, regular mammography
and breast ultrasound should be performed every 1-2 years.
| Why is it necessary to have a regular breast examination? |
Research shows that the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed,
the better the outcome. Early detection can increase the
prospect of cure and therefore save lives, particularly
in the case of early stage cancers (Stage 0 - Stage 1).
| What methods are used for examining the breast? |
Apart from monthly breast self-examination, it is advisable
to have an annual check-up performed by your doctor. If
necessary, your doctor will also advise you to undergo
a Mammogram and an Ultrasound of the breast. Your doctor
will advise you if any further tests, such as core biopsy,
are necessary to confirm or exclude cancer.
| When is the best time to perform breast self-examination and how long should it take? |
The most effective time to perform self-examination is
between the 7th and 10th days after the start of your
period. Postmenopausal women are advised to examine their
breasts on the first day of each month. Self examination
should only takes 5-10 minutes. Additional information
regarding the procedure, as well as various hints on breast
self-examination, are available in our "Breast Self-Examination
Brochure". Please feel free to request a brochure
from our staff in the Breast Health Center at our hospital,
or check out our hospital website for further information.
Our doctors and nurses are also happy to answer any questions
you may have.
| Is it necessary to undergo regular breast examination
during pregnancy? |
Regular breast examination should still be performed during
pregnancy. For further information or inquiries, please
feel free to discuss this with your doctor.
| How do I decide between having a Mammogram
or a Breast Ultrasound? |
Your doctor will advise you regarding which examination
is most suitable for you, taking into consideration your
age, and any risk factors you may have, such as the hereditary
factor and your individual medical history. Women over
the age of 40 are advised to undergo mammograms every
two years, whereas Ultrasound is usually performed on
women aged 35 and over.
| Will an MRI or a CT Scan be available at Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital if required? |
These services are available at Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital.
| How long will I have to wait to get the examination results after undergoing tests for suspected breast disease? |
It takes 2-3 days to get the results following a Mammogram,
Breast Ultrasound, or a core biopsy procedure.
| What happens when you have a breast biopsy,
and how long does it take? |
This procedure is called a "Core biopsy / Fine Needle
Aspiration" and it is performed under local anesthesia,
and takes just 5-10 minutes. The test results will be
available for collection within 2-3 working days.
Part IV: Breast Disease Information
| If I discover a breast lump, does it mean I
have breast cancer? |
A breast lump does not necessarily indicate you have cancer.
Most breast lumps are in fact benign. It is important
however to consult your doctor immediately and have the
breast thoroughly examined.
| What are the symptoms of breast disease? |
The common symptoms are:
>Breast pain
>Breast lump
>Puckering, dimpling or bulging of skin
>Nipple inversion and/or any abnormal discharge
>Asymmetry
Consult your doctor immediately if you discover any of
the above symptoms.
| Apart from breast cancer, are there any other
breast diseases? |
Hyperplasia of the lacteal gland, breast cysts, and acute
mastitis, are also common breast diseases.
| Is it essential to undergo total mastectomy
if I have breast cancer? |
The aim of surgery is to remove all of the cancerous tissue,
and the options lie between having a total mastectomy,
or undergoing the more limited breast conserving form
of surgery. Total mastectomy is the excision of the entire
breast and lymphoid tissue, whilst the more limited method
of breast conserving surgery retains most of the breast
tissue. Adjuvant therapy such as radiation is also used
to reduce the chances of recurrent disease. After detailed
discussion with the patient and providing a full explanation,
the specialist will outline an individual tailor-made
treatment plan.
| Apart from surgery, are there other methods
for curing breast cancer? |
Surgery is the most effective method for curing breast
cancer. There are other adjuvant therapies, such as chemotherapy,
radiation, and monoclonal antibody treatments. Your doctor
will advise you on which treatment will be the most effective
for you.
| How to minimize physical disfigurement caused
by surgery? |
Radical surgery for breast cancer not only affects a woman's
physical appearance, it also has considerable psychological
consequences, such as a reduction in self confidence,
and an impaired self image. Breast reconstruction following
surgery can prove very rewarding for some women, and in
most cases, results in a breast of very similar appearance
to that of the normal breast.
Experienced plastic surgeons will advise you of the options
available in regard to breast reconstruction, as well
as aftercare counseling.
Part V : Other questions
| Where is the Breast Health Center located,
and how do I get there? |
The Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital Breast Health Center
is located at:
Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital, 199 Tsuen King Circuit,
Tsuen Wan.
You can travel by bus from the Tsuen Wan West Station,
the Tsuen Wan MTR, or Whampoa Gardens. There is also a
shuttle bus service from Tsuen Wan MTR as well as from
the Tsuen Wan Ferry.
| How can I obtain further information on the
Breast Health Center? |
For additional information, please visit our hospital
website at: www.twah.org.hk
or telephone us on: 2276 7676.
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