What you can expect from your breast care team

• An appointment within six weeks of your GP referring you to a hospital - and within two weeks if it is felt to be urgent.
• A firm diagnosis within four weeks of your first appointment with your hospital doctor.
• A specialist breast care team to look after you, in most cases with the same surgeon and specialist nurse throughout your treatment.
• The opportunity of a confirmed diagnosis before consenting to treatment, including surgery.
• A full explanation about what the treatment aims to do, the benefits and possible side effects.
• As much time as you need to consider the choices of treatment.
• Full information about the tests and treatment you will be having - including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy - with written information to take away with you.
• A sensitive and complete breast prosthesis (artificial shape) fitting service where appropriate.
• The opportunity to discuss plastic surgery for breast reconstruction.
• Information on all support services for patients with breast cancer and their families.    

If you feel these standards have not been met - please speak to your doctor or your breast care nurse.  If you want to speak to someone else, they can advise you, or you can contact the     Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on:  

 Freephone 0800 032 0202.