Breast Cancer

• Authorization will be arranged by the rooms or hospital staff.

• Fasting:

• No solid food for 6 hours before surgery

• No clear liquids for 2 hours before surgery

• Most chronic medications may be taken, except diabetic medication (to be discussed with your doctor).

• Inform your doctor if you are taking blood-thinning medication.

• Additional investigations may be required before surgery.

Breast cancer surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia. The type of incision and extent of surgery depend on the planned procedure. Dressings and, in some cases, drains are placed, and post-operative instructions are provided.

Management of breast cancer is individualised and depends on tumour type, size, stage, receptor status, and patient factors.

• Diagnostic assessment includes imaging (mammogram, ultrasound, MRI) and biopsy.

• Surgical options may include:

  • Wide local excision (lumpectomy)

  • Mastectomy

• Lymph node assessment may involve sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary surgery.

• Surgery may be combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy.

• All surgical specimens are sent for histological analysis.

Treatment is planned within a multidisciplinary team.

Surgical procedures typically take 60–180 minutes, depending on the type and extent of surgery.

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Seroma or haematoma formation

• Scarring or cosmetic breast changes

• Changes in nipple or breast sensation

• Lymphoedema (arm swelling) following lymph node surgery

• Delayed wound healing

• Need for further surgery

• Unintended damage to surrounding structures

• Complications are uncommon but possible. Contact the rooms urgently if you experience increasing pain, redness, swelling, discharge, fever, or arm swelling.

• Lumpectomy: usually day surgery or 1 night

• Mastectomy or axillary surgery: 1–3 days, depending on recovery and drain management