Check4Cancer launches new London ‘OneStop Breast Clinic’ for younger patients who will no longer be seen in NHS breast clinics

London, UK, 31^st March 2020 / Professor Gordon Wishart, Chief Medical Officer of Check4Cancer, launches a private ‘OneStop Breast Clinic’ for younger patients who will no longer be seen in NHS breast clinics.

Many people will not be aware that one of the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak is that NHS outpatient capacity has been drastically reduced and some referrals are now being prioritised over others¹. As of this week, many NHS trusts have moved to a position where some patients will no longer be eligible for the urgent two-week wait pathway for breast cancer diagnosis and their appointments may be cancelled. This is most likely to affect the following groups:

• women <25 years of age with any symptoms
• women <35 years of age with breast pain
• men <50 with any breast symptoms

Professor Gordon Wishart, Check4Cancer’s Chief Medical Officer comments: “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.”

Check4Cancer is therefore delighted to announce the launch of a new dedicated ‘OneStop Breast Clinic’ in Harley Street, London, where women under 35 and men under 50 years of age can have access to all 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.

Professor Wishart’s research has previously shown that the use of triple assessment (breast examination, breast imaging +/- biopsy) will make the correct diagnosis in 99.6% of all breast patients², and Professor Wishart advises: “I still firmly believe that having access to all investigations on the same day is better for the patient, and more likely to provide the most accurate diagnosis.”

The London ‘OneStop Breast Clinic’ accepts referrals from self-funding patients, and the initial consultation fee is £270. Additional 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.

Check4Cancer understands that this is a difficult time for all breast patients, whether referred to the NHS or private sector, and we will continue to update and adapt our services to combat whatever challenges arise as a result of Coronavirus.

To arrange an appointment at one of our ‘OneStop Breast Clinics’ please call Check4Cancer on 0800 085 6616.

End

For further information, contact:

Media Relations – Sciad Communications

Deborah Cockerill / Victoria Deaner
T: +44(0)20 3405 7892
E: Check4Cancer@sciad.com

Notes to Editors

Professor Gordon Wishart, MBChB MA (Cantab.) MD FRCS (Eng.) FRCS (Gen.)

Professor Gordon Wishart is the founder, Chief Medical Officer and CEO of Check4Cancer, a leading early cancer detection and cancer prevention company. In 2016, Check4Cancer launched rapid access, streamlined and audited diagnostic pathways for breast and skin cancer to the insured and self-pay markets, leading to the award of “Diagnostic Provider of the Year” at the annual Health Investor Awards in 2018. In late 2017, Check4Cancer launched the first worldwide breast cancer risk test (MyBreastRisk) to combine genetic, family history and lifestyle risk factors to underpin a risk-stratified breast screening programme.

As the former Director of the Cambridge Breast Unit from 2005-2010, and current Professor of Cancer Surgery at Anglia Ruskin School of Medicine since 2008, he has a strong track record in clinical research and modernisation of cancer diagnosis and treatment, with more than 100 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals. In 2010, he led a team of clinicians and scientists that developed the PREDICT breast cancer treatment and survival model, now used worldwide.

Links to Gordon’s previous interviews:

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-birmingham-41255567/ian-paterson-cvreveals-a-rogue-and-a-medical-conman
• https://www.businessweekly.co.uk/news/biomedtech/audit-confirms-effectivenesscambridge-cancer-diagnostic-pathway
• https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/employers-need-raise-awareness-cancer-workplace/

About Check4Cancer

Check4Cancer (www.check4cancer.com) is the reliable and trusted provider of early cancer detection and genetic services in the UK. Check4Cancer offers rapid access to personalised screening and diagnostic services for anyone anxious about a possible cancer diagnosis, as well as genetic testing and counselling for patients at increased risk of hereditary cancer.

Founded in 2014, Check4Cancer’s nationwide, evidence-based services are supported by audit data and cover bowel, breast, cervical, lung, prostate and skin cancer for the private, insured and corporate markets.

Check4Cancer won “Diagnostic Provider of the Year” at the Health Investor Awards in 2018 for its managed diagnostic cancer breast and skin pathways. Check4Cancer currently works with AXA PPP, Cigna and Vitality to provide cancer diagnostic pathways to their insured members.

Reference

1. https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/cancer-alliance-information-on-managing-cancer-referrals-19-march-2020.pdf
2. Britton PD, Duffy S, Sinnatamby R, Wallis M, Barter S, O’Neill A, Carlos C, Brenton JD, Forouhi P, Wishart GC. One-stop diagnostic breast clinics: how often are breast cancers missed? Br J Cancer 2009; 100: 1873-1878.