There was a need for guidelines to improve the investigation of breast symptoms in general practice. The guidelines were effective in improving investigation strategies in relation to some recommendations. Other recommendations were not adopted following the guidelines and implementation strategies. These tended to be those relating to symptoms which present less commonly, to recommendations relating to imaging of women 25 years and over, and where there was inconsistency between the clinical findings and other test results. Further education is needed in these areas.
Clinical examination is recommended as the initial investigation in all cases.
Any cyst which is aspirated and has bloody fluid, or where the lump remains post aspiration requires surgical referral. Any pathology result which is not consistent with imaging or clinical results requires surgical referral. The views or opinions stated in external resources which are links on this home page do not necessarily reflect those of the National Breast Cancer Centre.