Breast pain alone isn’t a symptom of cancer (NICE NG12, 2015). These patients don't require an urgent suspected cancer referral. Instead, University College London Hospitals (UCLCH) runs a weekly breast pain clinic, alongside Royal Free London (RFL) and Whittington Health (WH) clinics.

Patients with breast abnormalities will be upgraded for imaging. Patients should be seen within 28 days.  

Referral criteria

Inclusion: mastalgia; patient has no other breast and axilla signs or symptoms aged 16+.

Exclusions: clinical signs of cancer (lumps, nipple discharge); personal history of breast cancer; breast implants; male or pregnant patients.

How to refer

Use the Breast Pain Proforma NCL located in EMIS NCL Global Documents Urgent Suspected Cancer folder.

Refer via e-RS selecting

• Specialty: Surgery – Breast
• Clinic type: Mastalgia (Breast Pain)
• Service: Breast Pain Symptomatic – UCLH