The new specialist service provides examinations and advice to patients suffering from breast pain in Preston, Chorley and other parts of Central Lancashire and is run by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The Preston-based clinic aims to reduce anxiety and worry for many patients who might otherwise have been unnecessarily referred for hospital tests on a cancer pathway.
There are many causes of breast pain, including pregnancy, breastfeeding and other hormone-related issues, muscle-related pain or nerve problems and back pain. What’s it like as a patient? Rhona Nash, 64, from Ashton in Preston, was one of the first patients at the breast pain clinic. Rhona said: “I’ve suffered with various types of arthritis for a few years now, particularly in my ankles, hips and neck. However, when I started to feel a pain in my breast, just behind my nipple, it did worry me.