A woman's world stops immediately once she feels a lump in her breast. The worst of the worst is expected: Is it cancer? How is she going to deal with this? What does this mean for her and her family? What is the first step to take in dealing with this discovery? A plethora of concerns consumes her world until she has a definite result.

Debbie, whose name has been changed for confidentiality, was one out of many women who felt a lump in her breast. Being a busy business woman, and a single mother, the possibilities of having cancer was extremely overwhelming. She called her friend who recommended Debbie go to the False Creek Surgical Clinic for further investigation and a lumpectomy. She made an appointment with Dr. Rai on Monday who assessed the lump. There was no question there was a lump and Dr.Rai by-passed the ulta-sound, which would only verify what they already knew. She was booked for a lumpectomy the following Wednesday and the results where determined with a tissue slide test while the surgery was being performed. This slide test gave an instant indication of the cells being either malignant or benign. After the lump was removed it was sent to pathology for further dissection, however Dr. Rai spoke to Debbie while she was in recovery after her surgery to explain the preliminary results from the tissue slides. The dissection of the lump tissue usually takes up to four-five days after the lumpectomy.

Dr. Rai, who has been a surgeon for over 25 years specializing in breast reconstruction, said the Rapid Access Breast Lump Clinic can offer an alternative to the public system where a woman will have to make an appointment with her GP for a referral to see a specialist, who will then request an ultra-sound to determine if the lump exists. Once the lump has been confirmed a scheduled biopsy will be the next step. After the pathology results are determined from the biopsy, a lumpectomy will then booked. This pathway in the public system can have a woman put her and her loved ones' lives on hold from one to six months.

"Yes the public system does fast track high risk patients, but having an alternative to expediting quick diagnosis is the goal and ultimately creating ideal care for these women," said Dr. Rai.

A woman who has concerns of a lump is taken care of immediately after a consult is conducted. If during the consult the surgeon determines if an an ultra-sound is necessary, this is preformed the same day at the clinic. Depending on a woman's comfort level, a woman can have a lumpectomy that same day under a local anesthetic, where the specific area is frozen and the woman does not have to under go a general anesthetic. If a woman requests a general anesthetic the lumpectomy can be preformed within 24 hours.

After the results are gathered, and if it is determined the tissue is malignant, the surgeon discusses with the client of the different options of treatment and action the woman decides to take. "In my mind a quick diagnosis is what I would want, rather than putting my life and my family's life on hold," explained Dr. Rai.

Debbie, who returned to work in two days after her lumpectomy, said she felt immense relief that the results came back benign. Under due stress, and the unfortunate circumstance of being at the clinic, she said she had a fantastic experience.

The Rapid Access Breast Lump Clinic can offer women who have the terrifying experience of finding a lump in her breast, the autonomy of choice in finding out the results immediately by booking an appointment at the clinic. The process can be overwhelming and almost surreal for a woman, but it is better than sitting on a question mark and slowly going through the medical system waiting and wondering. Knowing the results of a lump offers a woman the empowerment of choice in determining her treatment and planning the rest of her life in a timely fashion.