Breast ultrasound
We offer breast ultrasound in addition to other imaging techniques to provide the most accurate diagnostic service possible.
For most people over the age of 35, a mammogram will be used together with breast ultrasound to investigate breast symptoms. For those under 35, breast ultrasound alone is often enough to determine whether a breast lump needs further investigation.
Treatment overview
It is important to remember that most breast lumps in this age group turn out to be benign (non cancerous).
Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of structures deep within the body. The ultrasound scanner sends out sound waves into the body that then bounce off tissues and organs. The sound waves come back to the receiver at different frequencies, and detecting these subtle changes allows the breast ultrasound machine to build up an accurate picture of what is inside the breast.
Why is breast ultrasound used?
Because it does not use X-rays (radiation), breast ultrasound is a safe diagnostic tool that can help determine whether an area of concern is normal breast tissue, a breast cyst or a solid mass that could be a breast tumour. Your consultant may use this technique to check an abnormality seen on a mammogram or an area of the breast in which a lump is found during a clinical examination.
When is a breast ultrasound done?
- On patients at any age to investigate a breast problem e.g. lump, lumpiness, texture change, nipple discharge
- It is the first imaging test for pregnant or breast feeding women with symptoms
- When there is an area on the mammogram that needs to be looked at more closely
- To see if lumps are fluid-filled (cysts) or solid (benign/tumour)
- To see if an area of thickening is breast tissue or a tumour
- For breast implants to see the implant and overlying breast tissue
- To investigate an abnormal area seen on MRI
- To guide needle biopsy of breast lumps
Benefits of breast ultrasound imaging
- It enables radiologists to have a clearer picture of the soft tissue so they can work out what is going on in the breast more easily
- It may help detect and classify problems with the breast that are not easy to interpret using mammography alone. This is often the case in younger women who have dense breast tissue
- It is pain-free and involves no needles, no injections and no ionising radiation
- It allows real-time imaging. This helps with other diagnostic tests such as needle biopsies and fine needle aspirations
- It can distinguish potential breast tumours from harmless breast lumps – these could be fat lobules or benign (non cancerous) breast cysts.
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
The London Clinic, in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, operate as teams of experts with world-class resources, dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of care. Surrounded by the latest treatments and advice, you’ll have everything you need to get back to your best health. Our patient rooms are designed for your comfort, while our catering team, in collaboration with expert dietitians, provide healthy, delicious meals to support your recovery.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our teams will be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care to your specific needs and giving you the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands. To provide exceptional care, we keep our staff-to-patient ratio low, so our nurses, clinicians, therapists, and support teams can offer a personalised, quality experience. You’ll notice the difference.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through every step of your patient experience. From explaining your personal treatment plan to ensuring all details are taken care of, we make the process stress-free, so you can focus on your health. Whether it’s your first consultation or follow-up care, our teams are here to provide seamless support and the peace of mind you deserve
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us. To help you manage the cost, we also offer a 0% finance option, allowing you to spread the payments for your treatment over 12 months with no added interest. Learn more about our finance options here.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have 0% finance options available with Chrysalis. Find out more here.