B.U.S.T. The Breast Care Unit Support Trust

The B.U.S.T Committee          Contact Details

What is BUST?

The Frenchay Breast Care Unit Support Trust was set up in 1991 by a group of patients who had been treated for breast cancer at Frenchay Hospital.  The mission of the Trust was to raise money to buy a portable ultra-sound scanner for use in the Breast Clinic.

Today in 2003 there are several ultrasound scanners used by doctors in the clinic.  BUST has raised over £400,000 – and every penny has been spent supporting “patient care” at the Breast Care Centre at Frenchay Hospital.  As well as providing “state of the art” scanners, BUST is now contributing to the general needs of the Breast Care Centre.

About the Breast Care Centre

  The Breast Care Centre was opened in 1995 as a multidisciplinary centre where patients can be seen by various specialists – all experts in diverse aspects of the management of breast disease.  The Centre was the first of its kind in the South West and has twice been awarded the prestigious Charter Mark as a centre of excellence.  BUST is trying to raise money to install a new mammogram intervention machine, which will enable a more accurate system of biopsying potential cancers at the very earliest stage to be established in the Centre.

  The charity BUST which has purchased the machine had hoped that the Frenchay Hospital would provide the space, and enable this equipment to be installed.  The financial state of the North Bristol Trust has meant that this move has been put on hold.  We are therefore asking for your help, in order that women around the Bristol area and beyond may benefit. 

  We realise that many demands are made of us each day to support charities of great value.  BUST supports the Breast Care Centre at Frenchay Hospital where many thousands of men (yes, men can get breast cancer too) and women are seen every year.

Facilities provided by BUST

·          In the Breast Care Centre all doctors have easy access to ultrasound scanners

·          The Trust has purchased x-ray viewing equipment costing over £20,000, which enables the large numbers of mammograms to be carefully scrutinized by the Consultant Radiologist 

·          BUST has purchased a magnetic resonance imaging breast coil, which is attached to the MRI scanner.  Difficult problems can be further examined with this new type of scan, which does not involve x-rays and is particularly useful after radiotherapy.

·          BUST has funded the purchase of the Mammotome system.  Samples can be taken under Ultrasound guidance, which improves the accuracy of diagnosis.  In some circumstances this may enable removal of the lump through a tiny nick in the skin.

·          The relaxed atmosphere of the Breast Care Centre owes a lot to the warm internal decorations that were paid for by BUST.

BUST and future developments in the treatment of Breast disease

·          BUST is supporting the ongoing research at Frenchay Hospital into the early detection and prevention of breast cancer and the psychological effects of being diagnosed with breast cancer.  Research at the Centre is looking at better ways of treating breast cancer and in particular, better ways of identifying those patients who respond best to drugs such as Tamoxifen or Chemotherapy.

·          The BUST group is continuing to raise funds for new, improved Ultrasound scanners as these become available.  The new machines operate at much higher frequencies and are able to detect small cancers that are not seen on mammograms.

·          BUST is raising money to buy a new mammogram machine which will have the Mammotome biopsy system attached to it to enable small areas of abnormal breast tissue (not seen on Ultrasound scans) to be removed under x-ray guidance.

How can you help?

Please support BUST in continuing to raise money to help patients with breast problems.  Please help us to find ways of prevention, early detection and better treatment for patients with breast cancer at Frenchay Hospital.  You can help in many ways, either through your own personal donation or by raising money through a sponsored event.  All your efforts are very welcome.

Thank you!

Contact Details:

Chair & Treasurer

Mrs. Pam Corrigan

70 Grove Road

Fishponds

BRISTOL  BS16 2BP         Tel. No:  0117 9657356

Committee

Mrs. Chris Hobbs

Mrs. Heather Hembrough  

Mrs. Judith Bird

Mrs. Lilian Brown

Mrs. Rosemary Jenkins

Mrs. Sally Loader

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Jane Barker

Breastcare Centre

Frenchay Hospital

Consultant

Mr. Simon Cawthorn

Breastcare Centre

Frenchay Hospital

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