Private Male Breast Ultrasound

Males and females are both born with breast tissue and mammary glands.

Development of those glands — which don’t function in males — and of the breast tissue itself usually stops when boys hit puberty.

However, males are still at risk for conditions affecting breast tissue.

Breast cancer is a very rare cause of breast pain in males, although the condition may be more common than you might think.

Other causes can include injury or non-cancerous diseases of breast tissue. Pain that may seem to originate in the breast may be related to the heart or the muscles and tendons of the chest.

Some common causes that cause breast issues in males are:

• Breast fat necrosis
• Muscle strain
• Breast cancer
• Gynaecomastia
• Breast cysts
• Fibroadenoma
• Non-breast causes of chest pain
  
  • Heartburn
  • Respiratory disease
  • Heart disease

As part of your chest wall private ultrasound scan, we will assess for structural changes of the chest wall and inform you if any abnormal findings are visualised.

Ultrasound provides an accurate way to obtain a diagnosis and assess for any serious breast disease. You might need an examination if:

• You have a lump in the breast
• If you have a chest and arm pain or possible deformity of the affected area
• If there is any nipple discharge

You might have this test alongside other tests, such as a breast examination and breast x-ray (mammogram) in a one-stop clinic.

You might also have a breast biopsy. This is called a triple assessment.

You may also have an ultrasound scan when you have a biopsy of the breast. This helps the doctor find the right place to take the biopsy.

Chest or breast pain in males can have some very serious causes, so don’t wait to share these symptoms with your doctor. You may need a series of tests and follow-up visits.

Diagnosing certain conditions early may mean the difference between successful treatment or more complications, so it’s worth it to take your pain as seriously as possible.

You will need to take off your upper clothing and put on a hospital gown. You will then be asked to lie on a couch for the test.

The doctor will put a lubricating gel over your chest, this can sometimes feel cold. The gel helps the probe to slide over your skin to give clear pictures on the screen.

You might feel a little pressure when they move the probe over your chest. Do tell them if it is uncomfortable. The doctor will also look at the lymph nodes in your armpit (axilla).

The test can take about 10 to 15 minutes. The doctor might request you to move position a few times, bringing your arm up and down.

You can have a family member or a friend with you while you have the scan. Just let our staff know that someone will be with you.

No significant preparation is required for this test. 

The doctor will go through the results with you there and then, you might not need any further tests if everything looks normal.

If a solid lump does show on the scan you will be asked to have more tests done.

These might include taking a sample of cells from the abnormal area (a biopsy). If the lymph nodes in the armpit look abnormal, they will request you to get a needle biopsy.

Many of our patients are concerned that if they come to us for an ultrasound, they won’t be able to go back to public health. That simply is not the case.

Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get you on the right treatment path fast – no strings attached.

When you come to us, you will be seen by a qualified specialist who can determine if your situation is serious or not that same day.

We don’t want you to wait weeks on end for an appointment because every minute counts when it comes to something as important as your health.

If your situation is serious, our specialist will write to your doctor on the NHS advising them that you need an urgent appointment.