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Description

The Breast Care Service (on the Dunedin Hospital site) try to offer a “one day work-up” of new patients who have been referred, which is efficient and patient-friendly. Results are provided in a more timely fashion and the amount of travel for appointments reduced.

One-day work-up includes clinical assessment by the surgical team with appropriate imaging and any required laboratory samples to enable accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible. Patients will then be booked for other procedures if necessary.

Consultants

Note: Please note below that some people are not available at all locations.

  • Mr Michael Landmann

    Breast Consultant Surgeon

    Available at Dunedin Hospital, Dunstan Hospital, Clyde

  • Mr Graeme Millar

    Breast Consultant Surgeon

    Available at Dunedin Hospital, Clutha Health First, Balclutha

  • Dr Simone Petrich

    Breast Consultant Surgeon

    Available at Dunedin Hospital, Ōamaru Hospital

How do I access this service?

Contact us, Referral, Enrolled patients

Referral Expectations

We would expect new patients to have been referred by their GP or as an internal consult from another service within the hospital setting.

Fees and Charges Description

Patients who are chargeable are able to be seen in Breast Care Services and if this is the patient's choice to use our service then they will be given approximate costs prior to attending. Costs with private imaging or a breast surgeon in private are likely to be less.

Hours

Dunedin Hospital

9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Mon – Fri 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Public Holidays: Closed Labour Day (28 Oct), Waitangi Day (6 Feb), Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun).
Christmas: Open 23 Dec — 24 Dec. Closed 25 Dec — 26 Dec. Open 27 Dec. Closed 28 Dec — 29 Dec. Open 30 Dec — 31 Dec. Closed 1 Jan — 2 Jan. Open 3 Jan. Closed 4 Jan — 5 Jan. Open 6 Jan — 10 Jan.

Dunstan Hospital, Clyde

Clinics are held at  Dunstan hospital twice a year (usually May & Nov )

Ōamaru Hospital

Clinics are at Ōamaru hospital twice a year for breast patients in follow-up (usually May & Nov)

Clutha Health First, Balclutha

9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Mon – Fri 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Public Holidays: Closed Labour Day (28 Oct), Waitangi Day (6 Feb), Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun).
Christmas: Open 23 Dec — 24 Dec. Closed 25 Dec — 26 Dec. Open 27 Dec. Closed 28 Dec — 29 Dec. Open 30 Dec — 31 Dec. Closed 1 Jan — 2 Jan. Open 3 Jan. Closed 4 Jan — 5 Jan. Open 6 Jan — 10 Jan.

Procedures / Treatments

Mammography

A mammogram is a special type of x-ray used only for the breast. Mammography can be used either to look for very early breast cancer in women without breast symptoms (screening) or to examine women who do have breast symptoms (diagnostic). What to expect? You will need to undress from the waist up. One of your breasts will be positioned between two plastic plates which will flatten the breast slightly. Most women find that this is a bit uncomfortable, but not painful. Generally two x-rays are taken of each breast. It is also useful to compare the results with earlier examinations and you should take any previous mammography results with you.

A mammogram is a special type of x-ray used only for the breast. Mammography can be used either to look for very early breast cancer in women without breast symptoms (screening) or to examine women who do have breast symptoms (diagnostic).

What to expect?
You will need to undress from the waist up.  One of your breasts will be positioned between two plastic plates which will flatten the breast slightly. Most women find that this is a bit uncomfortable, but not painful. Generally two x-rays are taken of each breast. It is also useful to compare the results with earlier examinations and you should take any previous mammography results with you.

Breast Ultrasound

In ultrasound, a beam of sound at a very high frequency (that cannot be heard) is sent into the body from a small vibrating crystal in a hand-held scanner head. When the beam meets a surface between tissues of different density, echoes of the sound beam are sent back into the scanner head. The time between sending the sound and receiving the echo back is fed into a computer, which in turn creates an image that is projected on a television screen. Ultrasound is a very safe type of imaging; this is why it is so widely used during pregnancy. What to expect? After lying down, the area to be examined will be exposed. Generally a contact gel will be used between the scanner head and skin. The scanner head is then pressed against your skin and moved around and over the area to be examined. At the same time the internal images will appear onto a screen.

In ultrasound, a beam of sound at a very high frequency (that cannot be heard) is sent into the body from a small vibrating crystal in a hand-held scanner head.  When the beam meets a surface between tissues of different density, echoes of the sound beam are sent back into the scanner head.  The time between sending the sound and receiving the echo back is fed into a computer, which in turn creates an image that is projected on a television screen.  Ultrasound is a very safe type of imaging; this is why it is so widely used during pregnancy.

What to expect?
After lying down, the area to be examined will be exposed.  Generally a contact gel will be used between the scanner head and skin.  The scanner head is then pressed against your skin and moved around and over the area to be examined.  At the same time the internal images will appear onto a screen.

Fine Needle Aspiration

This procedure involves inserting a needle through your skin into the breast lump and removing a sample of tissue for examination.

This procedure involves inserting a needle through your skin into the breast lump and removing a sample of tissue for examination.

Biopsy

Open Excisional: a small incision (cut) is made as close as possible to the lump and the lump, together with a surrounding margin of tissue, is removed for examination. If the lump is large, only a portion of it may be removed. Core Needle Biopsy: this involves inserting a needle through your skin into the breast lump and removing a sample of tissue for examination.

Open Excisional: a small incision (cut) is made as close as possible to the lump and the lump, together with a surrounding margin of tissue, is removed for examination. If the lump is large, only a portion of it may be removed.

Core Needle Biopsy: this involves inserting a needle through your skin into the breast lump and removing a sample of tissue for examination.

Breast Cancer Surgery

This may be: Simple or Total: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple are surgically removed but the muscles lying under the breast and the lymph nodes are left in place. Modified Radical: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple as well as some lymph tissue are surgically removed. Partial: the breast lump and a portion of other breast tissue (up to one quarter of the breast) as well as lymph tissue are surgically removed. Lumpectomy: the breast lump and surrounding tissue, as well as some lymph tissue, are surgically removed. When combined with radiation treatment, this is known as breast-conserving surgery.

This may be:

  • Simple or Total: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple are surgically removed but the muscles lying under the breast and the lymph nodes are left in place.
  • Modified Radical: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple as well as some lymph tissue are surgically removed.
  • Partial: the breast lump and a portion of other breast tissue (up to one quarter of the breast) as well as lymph tissue are surgically removed.
  • Lumpectomy: the breast lump and surrounding tissue, as well as some lymph tissue, are surgically removed. When combined with radiation treatment, this is known as breast-conserving surgery.
Breast Reconstruction

When a breast has been removed (mastectomy) because of cancer or other disease, it is possible in most cases to reconstruct a breast similar to a natural breast. A breast reconstruction can be performed as part of the breast removal operation or can be performed months or years later. Breast reconstruction is performed by specialist Plastic & Reconstructive surgeons and you would be referred to their service to discuss appropriate options of reconstruction.

When a breast has been removed (mastectomy) because of cancer or other disease, it is possible in most cases to reconstruct a breast similar to a natural breast. A breast reconstruction can be performed as part of the breast removal operation or can be performed months or years later.

Breast reconstruction is performed by specialist Plastic & Reconstructive surgeons and you would be referred to their service to discuss appropriate options of reconstruction.

Contact Details

This page was last updated at 11:06AM on April 4, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Breast Care - Otago | Southern.