Suspected Cancer: 2 Week Wait
  • Discrete, hard lump ± fixation,  ± skin tethering
  • Spontaneous unilateral bloody nipple discharge or which stains clothes
  • Nipple retraction or distortion of recent onset (<3 months onset)
  • Skin distortion / tethering / ulceration / Peau d'orange
  • Unexplained lump in axilla
Cancer Less Likely

These symptoms are routinely managed by ERS A&G, please use this route prior to making a referral to the breast unit:

  • Gynaecomastia with no obvious physiological or drug cause (including anabolic steroids, Propecia/ Finasteride and cannabis use)
    • CONSIDER PRIMARY CARE MANAGEMENT FIRST
  • Patients with breast pain alone (no palpable abnormality)
    • CONSIDER PRIMARY CARE MANAGEMENT FIRST:  Don't refer until 2 weeks of topical treatment such as 0.1% mometasone has been tried. Breast Pain Pathfinder
  • Unilateral, spontaneous, nipple discharge that is persistent or troublesome
Pathway For The Management Investigation Of Breast Lumps In Men

Significant Weight Loss Only?

Non Site-Specific Pathway