When should I see a breast specialist?

You should seek medical advice if you notice a new breast lump, changes to the breast skin or nipple, nipple retraction, or clear or blood-stained nipple discharge. Many breast changes are not cancer, but assessment helps identify the cause and determine the right next steps.

What breast conditions do you treat?

Dr Will Anderson treats a wide range of breast conditions, including benign breast lumps, nipple discharge, breast cancer and other breast changes requiring assessment or surgery.

What is oncoplastic breast surgery?

Oncoplastic breast surgery combines safe cancer removal with careful attention to breast shape and appearance. It uses specialist surgical techniques to remove the cancer while reshaping the breast where possible, helping more patients achieve a good cosmetic outcome after breast-conserving surgery.

Do you offer breast reconstruction after mastectomy?

Yes. Will provides immediate and delayed implant-based breast reconstruction in Whangārei. Reconstruction can restore breast shape and volume following mastectomy, and the timing and approach will depend on your diagnosis and treatment plan.

What happens during a breast surgery consultation?

During your consultation, Will starts with reviewing your medical history, discussing your diagnosis and explaining the available treatment options. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and understand the benefits, risks and expected outcomes of each approach.

Do I need a referral to see Dr Anderson?

Most insurers will require you to have had a referral from your GP if you want to arrange a specialist consultation. If you have questions about self-referral or appointments, feel free to contact us.

Breast Surgery - Will Anderson

Understanding breast changes

Breasts naturally change throughout life, and many of these are not related to cancer. However, any new or unusual changes should be assessed by a GP or breast specialist.

Changes that should be checked include a new lump, thickening of breast tissue, changes to the skin, nipple changes or nipple discharge. While these symptoms can have many causes, early assessment helps identify any concerns and ensures you receive the right advice and treatment.

A multidisciplinary approach to care

For more advanced breast cancers, Will works alongside oncology, radiology and other specialists through the regional breast cancer multidisciplinary team.

This collaborative approach helps ensure patients receive a treatment plan tailored to their individual diagnosis and needs.

Request a consultation

Benign breast conditions

Many breast lumps and changes are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. Common examples include fibroadenomas in younger women and cysts that can develop as breast tissue changes over time.

Changes to the milk ducts behind the nipple can also cause nipple discharge. A condition called duct ectasia, where ducts become widened and produce thicker secretions, is a common cause. However, clear or blood-stained nipple discharge should always be assessed by a specialist.

Breast Reduction Surgery:
Macromastia (large breasts) is a condition where a person’s breast size is disproportionate to their body and can cause an array of symptoms including neck pain, back pain and social anxiety. In select cases, breast reduction surgery can reduce the size of the breast and help relieve these symptoms.

Treatment for nipple discharge

Persistent or concerning nipple discharge may require surgery to assess and treat the affected milk ducts.

A duct excision removes the central ducts behind the nipple and allows the tissue to be examined. In some cases, a more targeted procedure called a microdochectomy can remove only the affected duct while preserving the remaining ducts.

Breast cancer and treatment

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women in New Zealand and can also occur in men. It may present as a new breast lump, a lump in the armpit, nipple retraction or bloody nipple discharge.

Early assessment with clinical examination, imaging and biopsy where required helps identify breast cancer quickly and ensures treatment can begin as soon as possible.

Many breast cancers are diagnosed at an early stage and can be successfully treated with surgery. Treatment options may include breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) or mastectomy, depending on the type and location of the cancer. The most appropriate options will be discussed with you, and we will support you through each decision.

A multidisciplinary approach to care

For more advanced breast cancers, Will works alongside oncology, radiology and other specialists through the regional breast cancer multidisciplinary team.

This collaborative approach helps ensure patients receive a treatment plan tailored to their individual diagnosis and needs.

Request a consultation

Breast surgery options

Breast surgery is highly individual, with the right approach depending on your diagnosis, breast anatomy and personal preferences.

Lumpectomy

A lumpectomy removes the breast cancer along with a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue, preserving as much of the breast as possible. For breast cancer, this is usually followed by radiotherapy to treat the remaining breast tissue.

Lumpectomy may also be used for some benign breast conditions, such as removing a symptomatic lump.

Mastectomy

A mastectomy involves removing the entire breast and may be recommended for some breast cancers. There are different approaches to mastectomy, and we’ll discuss the options available based on your diagnosis and preferences.

Oncoplastic breast surgery

Oncoplastic breast surgery combines cancer surgery with plastic surgery techniques to remove breast cancer while maintaining the shape and appearance of the breast.

This approach can allow more patients to have breast-conserving surgery, particularly when larger cancers require more tissue to be removed. Techniques may include reshaping the breast, breast reduction or breast lift procedures.

Lymph node surgery

Lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla) are checked during many breast cancer operations to determine whether cancer has spread beyond the breast.

A sentinel lymph node biopsy is the most common approach. This involves identifying and removing the first lymph nodes that drain the breast so they can be examined in the laboratory.

For some more advanced cancers, an axillary clearance may be required to remove additional lymph nodes. Will can explain the most appropriate approach for you, balancing accurate cancer assessment whilst minimising potential side effects.

A multidisciplinary approach to care

For more advanced breast cancers, Will works alongside oncology, radiology and other specialists through the regional breast cancer multidisciplinary team.

This collaborative approach helps ensure patients receive a treatment plan tailored to their individual diagnosis and needs.

Request a consultation

Breast reconstruction after surgery

When a mastectomy is required, breast reconstruction can restore breast shape and volume. Reconstruction may be performed at the time of cancer surgery or at a later stage.

Will offers immediate and delayed implant-based breast reconstruction in Whangārei. For patients requiring tissue-based reconstruction, referral to specialist plastic surgeons in Auckland can be arranged.

A multidisciplinary approach to care

For more advanced breast cancers, Will works alongside oncology, radiology and other specialists through the regional breast cancer multidisciplinary team.

This collaborative approach helps ensure patients receive a treatment plan tailored to their individual diagnosis and needs.

Request a consultation

Breast Surgery

Specialist breast surgery in Whangārei

Assessment, treatment and support

Understanding breast changes

A multidisciplinary approach to care

Benign breast conditions

Treatment for nipple discharge

Breast cancer and treatment

A multidisciplinary approach to care

Breast surgery options

Lumpectomy

Mastectomy

Oncoplastic breast surgery

Lymph node surgery

A multidisciplinary approach to care

Breast reconstruction after surgery

A multidisciplinary approach to care

Breast surgery FAQs

Discuss your options