Private Breast Ultrasound

An ultrasound is a safe, painless, radiation-free form of imaging technology that uses sound waves to look at the inside structures of your body.

A breast ultrasound enables your healthcare provider to identify and diagnose breast abnormalities and problems, such as lumps and breast implant ruptures.

Breast ultrasounds are typically required for one of three reasons:

• To assess the cause of a symptom, such as a lump, discharge, or prolonged pain.
• To screen for abnormalities. If you are under 40, an ultrasound can identify abnormalities even if you don’t have symptoms. Ultrasound is the preferred imaging tool for women under 40 as it doesn’t use radiation. Ultrasound is also a supplementary screening tool for mammograms for women over 40 with dense breasts that make lumps more difficult to identify.
• You have breast implants. The FDA recommends that women with silicone gel-filled implants have an ultrasound five years after surgery and every two years after that. This routine ensures ‘silent ruptures’ – implant ruptures that don’t cause noticeable symptoms – are detected and remedied. Breast implants can also increase your risk of a breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL.

There are several other reasons you may need a breast ultrasound. For example, you might have dense breast tissue that makes mammograms difficult, you might be pregnant and require a radiation-free procedure, or you might be 25 or younger.

Whatever your reason for undergoing a breast ultrasound, you can rest easy at Harley Street Ultrasound, knowing your health is in safe and capable hands.

Ultrasound is not typically used alone to scan for and detect breast cancer in patients over 40. However, if you are under 40, your doctor may request a breast cancer ultrasound.

While mammography is the only breast cancer screening tool shown to actively minimise deaths caused by breast cancer, it cannot find all breast cancers in all people.

Sometimes, abnormalities and lesions are not detectable nor easy to interpret using mammograms. In these cases, ultrasound is used as a supplementary imagining technology.

Breast implants are considered safe. However, in some rare instances, complications do arise. Breast implant ultrasounds can help uncover potential issues early, empowering you to take control of your health.

A breast implant check can show a rupture, diagnose lumps, identify capsular contractures, and detect BIA-ALCL.

BIA-ALCL is a type of curable cancer that forms in the fluid and scar tissue around your implants. Untreated, it can spread to other areas of your body. BIA-ALCL usually develops eight to 10 years after surgery, and symptoms arise no earlier than one year following your procedure. Symptoms include lumps in the breast or armpit, breast asymmetry, breast enlargement, and general changes in breast appearance.

Keep in mind that BIA-ALCL symptoms are similar to those experienced after surgery.

The best way to protect yourself against BIA-ALCL and other breast implant-related issues is to undergo breast ultrasounds every two years. The procedure generally takes less than 30 minutes and is non-invasive, making it a quick and easy part of your regular healthcare routine.

Breast ultrasounds are safe and comfortable. At Harley Street Ultrasound, we make your experience our number one priority, and our breast imaging specialist consultants are here to put your mind at ease.

Preparing for your ultrasound is straightforward – you don’t have to change your diet, stop drinking, or take time away from your regular day-to-day activities. However, there are a couple of steps you can take to ensure your visit is as fast and fuss-free as possible:

• Wear clothing that is easy to take off and put on. You will be asked to undress from the waist up. Alternatively, you can wear clothing that enables our consultants to access your chest area. The ultrasound gel will not stain your clothes, but you may not want to wear your favourite top or dress – following your appointment, the gel may not be removed from your skin completely.
• Avoid putting lotion, powders, and other substances on your breast area on the day of your appointment.
• Remove any jewellery that may get in the way of the ultrasound wand.

At Harley Street Ultrasound, we are happy to offer same-day access to your breast ultrasound images. You can access your images on any device – including your smartphone – and share them with your trusted healthcare professional.

Your doctor will walk you through your results and discuss your next steps. In most cases, you won’t need a follow-up ultrasound.

Although the procedure is quick and painless, if you’ve never had a breast ultrasound before, it’s perfectly normal to feel a little nervous or unsure.

To help ease your mind, here is a brief overview of the ultrasound experience:

• One of our specialised doctors will ask you to undress from the waist up and remove any jewellery. You will then lie on the ultrasound table. The lights may be dimmed.
• A clear, conductive gel will be applied to your breasts – this may feel cold. The gel ensures sound waves can travel through your skin and tissue.
• Your doctor will place a wand-like device called a transducer on your breasts. They will move it around, sending and receiving sound waves that generate real-time images of the inside of your breasts.
• When the doctor has fulfilled your healthcare professional’s request, they will remove the wand and give you tissues to wipe up the gel. You will be given privacy to redress.

The process will take five to 30 minutes from start to finish, and your images will be available via any device soon after your appointment.

Remember, our team is here to provide a gold standard level of care and professionalism. If you feel uncomfortable or experience pain at any point, please do not hesitate to let your consultant know.

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.