Private Breast Ultrasound Scan

A breast ultrasound scan is a painless, non-invasive imaging test used to gain a detailed view of the internal breast tissue to detect abnormalities and aid in the diagnosis of symptoms, such as a lump in the breast.

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What is a breast ultrasound scan?

At Welbeck, our private breast ultrasound service is provided within our state-of-the-art Women’s Health centre.

A breast ultrasound scan is a painless and non-invasive imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed pictures of your breast tissue, helping to assess various aspects of breast health.

A breast ultrasound may be performed for various reasons, including screening, diagnosis, and monitoring. While mammograms are the gold standard of breast imaging, breast ultrasounds can be used in conjunction with a mammogram to provide additional information about what’s happening in the breast tissue and gain a more accurate understanding of any potential issues.

Breast ultrasounds alone are not sufficient to screen for or make a diagnosis of breast cancer. 

Who is breast ultrasound for?

Breast ultrasound scans can be performed on women and men of any age, including those who have breast implants, and paediatric patients aged 12 to 18.. They can be especially useful in identifying breast problems in women under 40, as the breast tissue is denser in younger age, and an ultrasound may be able to provide a clearer picture than a mammogram. Breast ultrasound is also useful in checking the health of breast implants.  

Breast ultrasound may be recommended if:

  • a mammogram has revealed an abnormality in your breast

  • you can feel a lump in your breast, but it can’t be seen on a mammogram

  • it’s unclear if a breast lump is solid or contains fluid (is a cyst)

  • a biopsy of a lump is needed

  • you have dense breast tissue

  • you’re under 40 years old and have found a lump in your breast, have discomfort around your breast or armpit, or have a family history of breast cancer

If you’ve noticed any changes in your breast(s) or have any of the symptoms of breast cancer, we encourage you to self-refer to Welbeck for a breast ultrasound. This proactive approach allows for early detection and treatment, as well as peace of mind.

What do breast ultrasound scans involve?

A breast ultrasound is a straightforward, non-invasive procedure, taking around 10 to 15 minutes to complete. At Welbeck, these scans are performed by a specialist consultant breast radiologist.

A breast ultrasound scan follows these steps:

  1. Your radiologist will begin by asking you about any symptoms, explaining the procedure, and answering any questions you have.

  2. You’ll be asked to undress from the waist up and lie on the examination bed.

  3. Your radiologist will apply a warm gel over the skin of your breast. This gel helps the ultrasound probe glide over your skin easily, creating better contact with the tissue for clearer pictures.

  4. Your radiologist will move a handheld scanning probe over your breast, applying a little pressure, and images of the underlying tissue will appear live on a screen. They may also scan the area under your arm to check your lymph nodes.

  5. Your radiologist may ask you to move your arm up and down or move into a different position so they can scan all necessary areas.

  6. Once your radiologist has gathered the images they need, you’ll be able to wipe off the gel and get dressed.

You’ll receive the results of your ultrasound scan on the same day.

You may feel a little embarrassed, but remember that your radiologist is very experienced, and they are there to support you, help you feel comfortable, and answer any questions you might have. If you would like someone to attend the appointment with you, you are welcome to bring a family member or friend. We can also provide trained female chaperones upon request.

 

What happens if an abnormality is found?

If an abnormality is found, you may need to have a sample of tissue taken from your breast (a biopsy) for testing in a laboratory. This can be done during the ultrasound scan, and the results of this will be available after a few days and delivered at a follow-up appointment.

Your results may lead to onward referrals to specialities such as oncology, dermatology and endocrinology. 

What are the limitations and risks of a breast ultrasound scan?

Breast ultrasound is considered to be an incredibly safe test, with no associated risks or side effects.

While ultrasound can be helpful in assessing dense breast tissue, mammograms are the gold-standard test for identifying breast cancer. They can identify subtle changes in the breast tissue and tiny areas of calcification, which may be missed on a breast ultrasound. At Welbeck, we always pair a mammogram with an ultrasound wherever necessary to achieve the most accurate results possible.

How to prepare for a breast ultrasound scan

There’s no specific preparation needed to have a breast ultrasound scan. However, you may wish to wear clothing that’s easy to remove.

Recovery and aftercare

There’s no recovery time or aftercare needed after having a breast ultrasound scan. If a biopsy is required, this can cause some pain, and there will be some aftercare to consider – your consultant will talk you through what's needed.

How much does a breast ultrasound scan cost?

Our prices are as follows:

Bilateral breast ultrasound: £368

Mammogram: £315

Mammogram and ultrasound package on the same day: £525

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Why choose Welbeck?

We understand that having a breast ultrasound can be a daunting experience. That’s why we’ve taken great care to ensure you feel at ease every step of the way. At Welbeck, our radiographers are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

Ultrasound scans can be performed by either a male or female consultant radiologist, so you can choose if you wish. You’ll also receive your results at the same visit, so there’s no anxious waiting time.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if needed to ensure you receive the best possible treatment as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Booking a private enhanced breast screening

This service is available to women and men of all ages, and we accept both self-referrals and referrals from clinicians for this service.

Booking an appointment at Welbeck is simple – visit our booking portal to arrange a private breast ultrasound scan today. Alternatively, you can call us on 020 8015 2355, or email our team at bookings.womenshealth@onewelbeck.com. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

FAQs

Can ultrasound be used alone to diagnose breast cancer?

A breast ultrasound alone is not sufficient to screen for or make a diagnosis of breast cancer.  They are useful when performed in conjunction with a mammogram to provide additional information about what’s happening in the breast tissue and gain a more accurate understanding of any potential issues.

Is a breast ultrasound scan painful?

No, a breast ultrasound is non-invasive, and you won’t feel any pain or discomfort. We even warm up the ultrasound gel for additional comfort.

What does having dense breasts mean?

If you have dense breasts, this means that they contain a higher proportion of non-fatty tissue (fibroglandular tissue) and less fatty tissue. This can be determined by a mammogram, but it’s also common in younger women, so an ultrasound may be recommended if you’re under 40 years old.

Overview

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Self Referral

No doctor referral needed in order to book this service, although health insurers may require a referral in order for your treatment to be covered.

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Self-Pay Available

This treatment is available for self-paying users. If you would like to see more information on pricing visit our pricing and payments page.

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Fixed Price Package

For peace of mind, this service or treatment is available for an all-inclusive fixed price package.

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Paediatric Patients Aged 12-18 Seen

This service is also available to paediatric patients aged 12-18.

You can read more about breast ultrasounds by downloading our simple guide:

Patient Information - Breast Ultrasound