Learn more about the breast ultrasound procedure - what it involves, how to prep ahead, and different types of procedures.
Breast Ultrasound Enhanced Breast Screening
2025
Contents
This booklet has been created to provide you with useful information about different aspects of your care with us. Our aim is to support you towards the best possible experience – if you have any questions at any point, just ask, your clinical team is only an email or phone call away.
01 02 03 04 05
What is a breast ultrasound?
When is a breast ultrasound done?
Breast ultrasound preparation
Breast ultrasound procedure
What is a breast biopsy?
06
Types of ultrasound breast biopsy
07
Getting here & contact details
ENHANCED BREAST SCREENING
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Welcome to Enhanced Breast Screening at Welbeck
01. What is a breast ultrasound?
Breast ultrasound is a safe and quick imaging technique that’s used to examine breast tissue. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not ionising radiation, to make images of the inside of the breast. The ultrasound probe (transducer) sends out high-frequency sound waves, and these waves come back to the transducer at different frequencies. By detecting these subtle changes in the sound waves, the ultrasound machine can build up an accurate picture of what’s inside the breast.
These echoes are converted into a picture on the computer screen, which enables the consultant radiologist to visualise the breast tissue in real time.
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02. When is a breast ultrasound done?
Ultrasound is primarily used to help diagnose breast changes, breast lumps or other abnormalities that may have been found during a physical exam, mammogram, or breast MRI. Ultrasound scans are safe, non-invasive and do not use ionising radiation.
Instances where a breast ultrasound is performed include:
when there’s 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) and irregular/regular in shape to see if an area of thickening is breast tissue or a tumour to examine breasts with implants to assess the implant and overlying breast tissue to investigate an abnormal area seen on an MRI to guide needle biopsy of breast lumps A breast ultrasound may be recommended instead of a mammogram if you’re under 40, as your breast tissue may be too dense for the mammogram to accurately detect any abnormalities.
If you’re over 40 and present with a breast lump, you’ll be advised to have both a mammogram and a breast ultrasound scan.
03. Breast ultrasound preparation
You can eat and drink as usual before the test, but don't put any lotions or powders on your breasts. Wear clothing that you can take off easily – once in the ultrasound room, you’ll be asked to undress from the waist up, and then lie down on the examination couch.
The consultant radiologist will explain the procedure and answer any questions you might have.
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04. Breast ultrasound procedure
The exact test may depend on your case, but in general:
the radiologist will put a small amount of warm water-soluble gel on the skin over the area to be examined. This gel helps to transmit the sound waves through the probe to the computer. The gel doesn't harm your skin or stain your clothes they'll gently move a probe that looks like a little paddle over your skin
they may ask you to hold your breath briefly several times the axilla (armpit) is also scanned to assess the lymph nodes the gel is wiped off your skin
The test takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete. Once complete, the radiologist will discuss their findings with you. Interpretation of the ultrasound images may lead to further procedures, such as follow-up scans or tissue sampling with needle tests.
05. What is a breast biopsy?
If the radiologist finds something questionable during a routine breast exam, mammogram, or ultrasound, they may recommend a biopsy test.
During a breast biopsy, cells or a small piece of tissue are removed from your breast and sent to the pathology lab to be examined.
There are different breast biopsy procedures. The method the radiologist recommends will depend on:
• the size of the breast lump or suspicious area • where it's located • if there's more than one abnormal area
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06. Types of ultrasound breast biopsy procedures
Fine-needle aspiration A small needle is used to take a sample of cells from the area in question. The radiologist uses the ultrasound to guide them and ensure that the correct area is being sampled. If the lump is a cyst (a fluid-filled sac), the procedure may cause it to collapse. Any fluid collected is sent for testing. Ultrasound-guided core biopsy After some local anaesthetic has been injected into the breast, a needle is guided into the breast tissue. Ultrasound helps confirm the exact location of the area of interest, so that the needle is placed correctly. Tissue samples are then taken through the needle. Ultrasound can see the difference between cysts and solid lesions. This tissue sample is sent to the labs for testing.
After the biopsy has been successfully performed, a small dressing will be applied to the biopsy site, and you’ll be provided with aftercare information.
The radiologist will discuss how the results are communicated to you.
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WOMEN’S HEALTH
Getting here
Public transport and traffic in our area can be busy, especially in the morning and late afternoon rush hours, so give yourself plenty of time to travel to us. Details of when and where to arrive can be found in your booking letter. Our booking team are on hand to answer any questions, and you’ll find their contact details in the FAQ section of this booklet.
If you’re travelling by public transport, the nearest underground stations are Bond Street and Oxford Circus. There are also bus stops nearby.
If you’re travelling by car, our postcode is W1G 0AR. The nearest car parks are the Q- Park on Oxford Street and the Cavendish Square car park, both less than a 5-minute walk away, and the APCOA car park on Oxford Street (West), which is a 10-minute walk away.
Contact details
Enhanced Breast Screening Welbeck Women’s Health 1 Welbeck Street, London W1G 0AR United Kingdom
+44(0)2036532008
bookings.womenshealth@onewelbeck.com
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Notes
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CONTACT DETAILS
Welbeck Women’s Health 1 Welbeck Street, London W1G 0AR United Kingdom
Telephone: +44(0)2036532008 Email: bookings.womenshealth@onewelbeck.com
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