Cancer diagnostics specialist Check4Cancer has launched a one-stop breast clinic for younger patients who cannot be seen in the NHS during the Coronavirus outbreak.
The clinic in London’s Harley Street will enable women aged under 35 and men under 50 to access appropriate investigations at the first consultation, including clinical breast examination by a consultant breast surgeon, breast ultrasound scan and cyst aspiration or targeted needle biopsy if required.
The NHS has dramatically reduced outpatient capacity in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and NHS trusts are prioritising older women and men on the urgent two-week wait pathway for breast cancer diagnosis. Women aged under 25 with any symptoms, women aged under 35 with breast pain and men aged under 50 with symptoms are likely to face severe delays and appointment cancellations.
Check4Cancer chief medical officer Professor Gordon Wishart said: ‘We appreciate that these measures are mandatory given the current NHS resources, but recognise that this may cause considerable distress and anxiety for these patients.’
The London ‘OneStop Breast Clinic’ accepts referrals from self-funding patients with an initial consultation fee of £270. Further tests including breast ultrasound scan, cyst aspiration or needle biopsy will incur an additional cost and will be invoiced directly by the clinic. Patients insured with AXA PPP, Vitality or Cigna may be eligible for referral via their insurance company.
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