The Harley Street Breast Clinic
Routine and rapid breast screening with same-day diagnosis, advice and treatments for all breast problems.
3rd Floor, 148 Harley Street, London, W1G 7LG
- +44 (0)20 7908 6071
- How to find us
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)
This type of breast biopsy uses a very fine needle of a similar size or thinner than that used for taking blood.
A fine needle biopsy (FNAC) works by obtaining single breast cells, or small clusters of cells, which can be easily examined by our Consultant Breast Pathologist. The test often yields just a drop of fluid which is immediately spread onto a glass slide and examined under a microscope.
The fine needle test is very quick and is usually not more uncomfortable than having a blood test. We do not usually use any local anaesthetic as the local anaesthetic itself has to be injected and often stings more than the FNAC test itself.