Diagnostics

Breast ultrasound

Diagnostic tests and scans, Women's health services

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.

 

Contact us

Quick facts

A line graphic of a bike in dark green, to depict easy access

Easy access

Call us today to book an appointment

A dark green icon depicting a target and bulls eye, to show fast and easy referral

Fast referral

Get seen and treated within 14 days

An icon depicting a breast ultrasound, in dark green

What is it for?

To investigate breast concerns

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.

View body location
A icon of a human body with a dark green outline and white inner circle around the chest area to highlight.

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

We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.

Personal care, every time

Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.

Effortlessly simple

We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.

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.

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 finance options available with Chrysalis
     
Share

Get in touch

To find out more about arranging your self-pay healthcare with The London Clinic please contact us by phone or online: