Do you need a referral for breast lump excision?

Breast lump excision is an operation to remove a lump and send it for laboratory examination. Before recommending removal, a clinician may review your examination, breast imaging, and any needle biopsy result. A lump may be removed for several reasons, including symptoms, uncertainty, or a diagnosis that needs surgery; the operation itself does not prove that the lump is cancer.

The surgeon will discuss the location and size of the lump, the likely scar, anaesthesia, and whether another test or monitoring could be appropriate.

Begin with the clinician or breast clinic assessing the lump. Ask for a referral to breast surgery and confirm that imaging reports, images, pathology results, medication details, and allergies will be sent. Tell the team if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medicines that affect bleeding.

At the surgical consultation, ask how to prepare, whether the procedure is day surgery, how the wound will be managed, and how you will receive the laboratory result.

Seek prompt assessment for a new or changing breast lump, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, bloody discharge, or a breast that becomes red, hot, and swollen. Urgent care is appropriate for severe pain, heavy bleeding, faintness, or fever with rapidly worsening symptoms.

Ask why excision is being suggested, whether a needle biopsy is needed first, what alternatives exist, where the scar will be, what recovery involves, and when the removed tissue will be discussed.