Breast Health · Symptoms

When to Get a Breast Ultrasound — Lumps, Pain and Changes

The reasons people book a breast scan, which changes need your GP first, and what ultrasound can — and cannot — answer about them.

Modern ultrasound machine with a linear probe beside an examination couch in a private clinic room

Finding a lump or noticing a change is frightening, and the first useful thing to know is that most breast changes turn out to be benign. The second is that this is not something to sit on: the way to get past the fear is to have it looked at, and the assessment itself is quick.

See your GP about any new breast change

A new lump, a change in skin or nipple, or blood-stained discharge should go to your GP — who can refer you to an NHS breast clinic, where examination, imaging and any biopsy happen in one visit. That referral route is the definitive pathway. A private scan can add speed and information alongside it; it does not replace it.

Reasons

Why people book a breast ultrasound

Reason What ultrasound adds
A new lump you can feel Distinguishes a fluid-filled cyst from a solid lump, and describes the features of anything solid.
A lump that comes and goes with your cycle Often a cyst or normal glandular tissue — ultrasound confirms which.
Breast pain Pain alone is rarely a sign of cancer, but a scan settles the question when the worry persists.
A skin or nipple change Assesses the tissue underneath — though skin and nipple changes always need a clinical examination too.
Nipple discharge Can show a duct abnormality; blood-stained discharge needs GP assessment regardless.
Under 40 with a symptom Ultrasound is the first-line imaging test in younger, denser breasts.
Dense breasts on a previous mammogram Adds a second look at tissue where mammograms are harder to read.
An armpit lump Assesses lymph nodes and their appearance.
Family history and anxiety Adds information — but risk assessment and any high-risk screening belong with your GP or a genetics service.
Implants Checks implant integrity and the surrounding tissue.
Honestly

What a scan can and cannot settle

Ultrasound is good at the question most people arrive with: what is this lump made of? It separates simple cysts — which are common, benign and often need nothing at all — from solid lumps, and it describes a solid lump’s size, shape, margins and blood flow. Those features tell us whether something looks typically benign or warrants further assessment.

What no scan can do is give a definitive diagnosis of a solid lump. Only a biopsy does that, and biopsies are performed in a breast clinic, not here. Ultrasound also does not replace mammography for population screening, and a normal scan does not override a lump your doctor is concerned about on examination. Imaging is one part of the assessment — the “triple assessment” of examination, imaging and biopsy is the standard for a reason.

Womans hands resting in her lap while waiting in a bright clinic waiting area
At IUS London

What the appointment involves

  1. 1
    BookingNo referral needed, and no preparation — no fasting, no full bladder. The appointment is 30 minutes.
  2. 2
    The scanWarm gel and a small probe passed over the breast and armpit. Tell us where the change is and we will examine that area carefully alongside the rest.
  3. 3
    What we assessBreast tissue, any lump measured and characterised as cystic or solid, the tissue behind the nipple, and the lymph nodes in the armpit.
  4. 4
    ResultsExplained on screen as we scan, with the written report usually with you within two hours — and if anything needs a breast clinic, we say so plainly and write the report for them to act on.
FAQs

Your questions answered

Can a breast ultrasound tell if a lump is cancer?
It can tell whether a lump is a fluid-filled cyst or solid, and describe features that look typically benign or that warrant further assessment. It cannot diagnose cancer — only a biopsy does that, and biopsies happen at a breast clinic.
Should I see my GP first?
Yes, for any new lump, skin or nipple change, or blood-stained discharge. Your GP can refer you to an NHS breast clinic where examination, imaging and biopsy happen together. A private scan alongside that is fine; instead of it is not.
Do I need a mammogram instead?
Under 40, ultrasound is usually the first-line test because younger breast tissue is denser and harder to read on a mammogram. From around 40 the two tests are complementary. We do not offer mammography at IUS London — it is available through the NHS breast screening programme and breast clinics.
Does breast pain mean something is wrong?
Usually not. Pain alone is rarely a sign of cancer, and most breast pain is hormonal or musculoskeletal. If it is persistent, one-sided or comes with a lump or skin change, get it assessed rather than waiting it out.
Is the scan uncomfortable?
Generally no. It is warm gel and a small probe moved over the skin, with light pressure. If an area is tender, tell us and we will adjust.
Can men have a breast ultrasound?
Yes, and it is the usual first test for a lump or swelling in the male chest — most turn out to be gynaecomastia rather than anything sinister. Our guide on men with breast lumps covers it, and there is a dedicated male breast ultrasound appointment.
Related

Where to go from here

CompareUltrasound vs Mammogram vs MRI

What each test sees, and which one answers your question.

Read the guide →TypesScreening vs Diagnostic

Two different jobs, and which one you actually need.

Read the guide →ImplantsMonitoring Breast Implants

What ultrasound shows about implant integrity.

Read the guide →

Looked at this week, not next month

A full breast and armpit assessment in a 30-minute appointment — findings explained on screen as we scan, and the written report usually with you within two hours, written for your GP or breast clinic to act on.

From £189
Breast ultrasound scan

Breast ultrasound

5a Lucerne Mews
Kensington, London W8 4ED
3 mins from Notting Hill Gate

This article is general information about breast changes, not individual medical advice. Any new lump or breast change should be assessed by your GP, who can refer you to an NHS breast clinic — see NHS guidance on breast cancer and on breast screening. We do not offer mammography or biopsy at IUS London.

Written and clinically reviewed by the HCPC-registered sonographers who perform this scan at IUS London — a CQC-registered diagnostic ultrasound clinic (Provider ID 1-2775844974). Your own findings are explained to you at the scan and set out in your report.

Author: Yianni Kiromitis, Senior Sonographer, HCPC RA38415 — over 20 years’ experience in NHS and private ultrasound
Medically reviewed: 9 August 2026