3D (tomosynthesis) screening mammograms at OneWelbeck enable early breast cancer detection. With our personalised service, you can find peace of mind and prioritise your breast health.
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Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK, with around 56,000 new cases diagnosed every year (over 150 cases each day).
Mammography is a type of X-ray imaging designed to screen for breast cancer, detecting breast abnormalities in women before they are aware of a lump or any other symptom. Regular mammograms play an essential role in the early detection of breast cancer, and annual screenings have been shown to decrease the risk of death related to breast cancer by more than 25%.
At Welbeck’s Women’s Health centre, we offer 3D (tomosynthesis) mammography, the most technologically advanced breast screening in the UK, as standard to all patients.
Using cutting-edge technology, our digital mammography produces higher-quality images than a standard 2D mammogram, providing our specialist radiologists with as much information as possible for an accurate assessment. Using tomosynthesis also reduces the potential number of additional images and re-calls needed, reducing your exposure to radiation.
To further enhance the level of interpretation and analysis, we also use a powerful AI-powered analytics programme to compare your mammography images against a database of existing images. This helps our consultants to identify subtle changes that may be hard to detect with the naked eye.
When reading the mammograms, the radiologist is also able to assess the breast tissue density, and we offer a bilateral breast ultrasound at the same visit to further visualise the breast tissue.
Our consultant radiologists are always present when you have your mammogram, so you receive the results in the same visit, and if anything further is recommended, such as a bilateral breast ultrasound for tissue density, this can also be carried out on the same day.
Mammograms can identify subtle changes in the breast tissue and tiny areas of calcification, which may be missed on a breast ultrasound. Calcifications can be benign, but they can also be the early stages of certain types of breast cancer, so if left undetected, they can spread. Regular screening with mammography is vital.
We understand that attending a breast screening can feel daunting. At Welbeck, we’ve created a relaxing, private environment that has been purpose-built with your needs in mind. Every screening appointment is 30 minutes, so your examination doesn’t feel rushed or stressful. The experience is completely personalised to you, and there’s plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
You’ll be guided through every step of your screening by one of our female mammographers. They’ll begin by asking you about any symptoms, then explain the procedure, and answer any questions you have. They will then ask to undress from the waist up and will begin the screening.
Two views of your breasts are taken and the mammographer will place a breast at a time between special plates on the mammogram machine and take the images. They will then repeat this on the other breast. Your breast needs to be pressed gently but firmly between the plates for a few seconds to help keep you still and get clear images. Many women find this temporarily uncomfortable, and a few may find it painful, but only for a few seconds. The compression is necessary to reduce the amount of radiation required to create a diagnostic image, and it also ensures that the images are not blurred.
Our lead mammographer has over 30 years of experience and will develop clear images to spot any abnormalities. Offering a calm and friendly demeanour, she ensures that every patient feels as relaxed and cared for as possible.
If a mammogram, done at Welbeck or elsewhere, shows any abnormalities, you have a few options in terms of your follow-up care.
If you choose to have further investigations at Welbeck, which could include scans, biopsies, and minor procedures, we’ll support you every step of the way so you can make the right decisions for your health.
Alternatively, we can support your pathway with the NHS by providing you with your full report and transferring your images to your chosen breast clinic. We’ll then continue to monitor your progress to ensure you don't become lost in the system, and we’ll also double-check whether you received the necessary follow-up appointments our radiologist recommended.
This means, to complement the national screening programme, you may still receive NHS mammogram appointments every 3 years while also attending yearly mammograms with us at Welbeck.
Mammogram is the only universally accepted and effective method of breast screening for normal-risk women over the age of 40. It’s considered to be extremely safe, as it only requires a very low dose of radiation, and the benefits of early breast cancer detection through mammography far outweigh the radiation risks.
An annual mammogram delivers 0.36 mSv, whilst one transatlantic flight can expose you to 0.08 mSv. This is also comparable to the natural background radiation received whilst being in Cornwall for a few weeks. Having regular screening appointments can be life-saving and is far more likely to detect cancer than cause it.
Breast screening is also extremely effective, with only around 1 in 2,500 breast cancers being missed. This can happen no matter how well-trained and skilled the consultant radiologists reading mammograms are.
Sometimes a mammogram will not look normal, and you will be recommended to undergo tests such as a needle biopsy, which can determine that cancer isn’t present. This is called a false positive result. In some cases, a mammogram will look normal, but cancer is present. This is called a false negative result. It’s important to remain breast aware and always report any significant symptom, such as a new lump, skin dimpling or bloody nipple discharge, to your doctor.
There’s no specific preparation needed to attend a breast screening. However, you may wish to wear clothing that is easy to remove prior to the examination.
There is no recovery time or aftercare needed with breast screening. Some women experience a little discomfort or pain during a mammogram, but this stops immediately after.
When you book an enhanced breast screening with us, you’ll receive a personalised experience with a 30-minute mammogram appointment for £315.
We also offer 3D mammogram and bilateral breast ultrasound together for £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.
We understand that going for a mammogram can be a daunting and uncomfortable 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.
We have both male and female consultant radiologists covering clinics if ultrasound scans are recommended, so you can choose who to book with. You’ll 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.
We accept both self-referrals and referrals from clinicians for this service. We currently offer routine breast screening to all women aged 40 and above, in accordance with the American Cancer Society. We do not offer routine breast screening for women under 40 years of age, as the benefits are less clear at a younger age, and the limitations or potential risks are higher.
Booking your screening appointment at OneWelbeck is simple – visit our booking portal to arrange a private screening 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.
Please note, we can only offer private mammograms to patients who are currently not showing any breast cancer symptoms.
At Welbeck, we offer private breast screening from the age of 40.
This is much sooner than the NHS Breast Screening Programme, which invites all women between the ages of 50 and 70, who are registered with a GP, for a 2D mammogram every 3 years.
At our Enhanced Breast Screening centre, we also recommend having a private screening mammogram “in the middle”, at 18-month intervals. This is to ensure that potential abnormalities are identified and treated as soon as possible.
Women who have a family history of breast cancer should also consider having a mammogram every year once they turn 40, as they are at higher risk of breast cancer. We also recommend a bilateral breast ultrasound to complement the mammogram as another method of looking at the breast tissue.
If you’re unsure how regularly you should be having a mammogram, please don’t hesitate to contact our Women’s Health centre by emailing bookings.womenshealth@onewelbeck.com.
Once you reach the age of 71, you will no longer receive NHS breast screening invites. It's still important to be breast aware at this age, and you can still request mammograms on the NHS every 3 years if you want them.
We offer enhanced breast screening to all women over 40, and recommend that mammograms are done at least every 18 months.
If you’ve had any previous breast screening (private or NHS), it is important to tell our administrative team so that our radiologists can compare any previous images at your same appointment.
'I’d like to thank you and your team for the wonderful care given to me and the kindness shown when I attended for a mammogram. Although this was just a routine check-up, you paid such attention to ensuring my wellbeing. You went out of your way to explain the process and make me comfortable, physically and mentally. You also went to the trouble of collecting my previous mammograms from my GP to compare and look for any changes. When I needed to return for a further scan and then a biopsy of a tiny calcium deposit, you were just as kind and considerate. My consultant radiologist could not have been more gentle while carrying out the biopsy. I felt safe in all of your hands with no pain at all, so much so that while lying still for the biopsy, I could have fallen asleep! Your aftercare was equally amazing. I experienced no bruising or swelling, I’m sure, due to the care you took to prevent this, and I was called the next day to see how I was. Fortunately, the biopsy results were all clear; however, I am so pleased that I decided to have the initial mammogram, and to do so at your clinic. I know that if there had been any serious problem, it would have been caught by your incredible attention to detail and that you would have supported me through it with every care and kindness.'
– Screening mammogram patient
What is enhanced breast screening?
What does enhanced breast screening involve?
What are the limitations and risks of a mammogram?
How to prepare for enhanced breast screening
Recovery and aftercare
How much does enhanced breast screening cost?
Why choose Welbeck?
Booking a private enhanced breast screening
FAQs
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.
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.
Same Day Availability
We usually have same-day appointments available for this service. Please call us to book.
Next Day Availability
We usually have next day availability for this service, please call us to check availability.
Direct Booking
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We have brought together a group of leading gynaecologists and breast specialists to form our Women’s Health team. With over 200 years of combined experience, these expert clinicians are the best in their field and are all focused on delivering the very best patient care.