Breast Ultrasound
London
Consultant radiologist-led scanning and image-guided injections at our Fulham clinic.
Cared for over 15,000 patients
Established 2016
What breast ultrasound can show
Breast ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce detailed images of the breast tissue. It does not involve radiation and can be completed at our Fulham clinic in under 30 minutes. It is particularly useful for assessing lumps and areas of concern, evaluating dense breast tissue, and investigating symptoms such as pain, nipple discharge, or skin changes.
Breast ultrasound complements mammography but does not replace it as a screening tool for women without symptoms. For women with symptoms, or those who have been recalled following a mammogram, ultrasound provides important additional information that helps determine whether further investigation is needed.
A female chaperone is always present during breast ultrasound appointments at Coyne Medical.
Breast density and ultrasound
Up to 50% of women over 40 have dense breast tissue. Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram, as do many abnormalities, which means mammography is less sensitive in women with dense breasts. Women with the densest breast tissue have double the risk of breast cancer compared to women with less dense breasts, and between 30% and 50% of cancers may not be detectable by mammogram in women with dense breasts.
Ultrasound is not affected by breast density in the same way and can identify abnormalities that may be obscured on a mammogram. The European Society of Breast Imaging recommends that women with dense breasts should be offered an ultrasound or MRI scan.
Read our full guide to dense breasts →
What the scan involves
You will be asked to undress from the waist up and lie on the examination couch. A small amount of gel is applied to the skin and the transducer is moved gently across the breast and into the axilla if required. In the same way you may have a scan during pregnancy. The scan is painless and there is no radiation involved. Dr Upadhyay will discuss the findings with you at the appointment and you will receive a formal written report by email, usually within 48 hours.
Where further assessment is needed, Dr Upadhyay and our doctors will guide you on the best next steps.
Meet Dr Neil Upadhyay
DR NEIL UPADHYAY
MBBS BSc FRCR MRes MEd
Dr Neil Upadhyay is a Consultant Radiologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, where he subspecialises in breast and musculoskeletal radiology. He completed his medical degree and a BSc in Management with Medical Sciences with first class honours at Imperial College London, completed subspecialty training in breast and musculoskeletal radiology at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and undertook a musculoskeletal fellowship at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. He was appointed as a Consultant Radiologist in 2014.
Neil undertakes all aspects of breast imaging, including biopsies, localisations, and vacuum excisions under ultrasound and stereotactic guidance. He holds two Master’s degrees from Imperial College London, a Master’s in Education and a Master’s in Translational Research, both completed with distinction, reflecting a longstanding commitment to teaching and research in imaging.
Outside the clinic, Neil enjoys spending time with his young family and watching football.
How to request an appointment
Because the right scan depends on your symptoms, we ask all patients to submit a request before booking. If you already have a referral from a doctor, we can book you straight in.
Submit your request
Complete a short form with your personal details and upload your referral or request form if you have one. If you do not have a referral, let us know and we will arrange a brief GP consultation by phone, video, or in person.
We confirm your appointment
Once we have your referral, we will contact you to confirm the scan type, specialist, and appointment time. This normally happens within one working day.
Attend your appointment
Your scan takes place at our clinic at 660 Fulham Road, London SW6. Your consultant will review the images with you and you will receive a formal written report by email, usually within 48 hours.
Prices
| Bilateral breast ultrasound | £300 |
| Axilla (female) | £220 |
Your questions Answered
Please note that our specialists are independent practitioners who retain clinical responsibility for the care they provide, and they each retain their own medical indemnity.
Yes. You will need a referral or request form from a doctor or other clinician to book a breast ultrasound. If you do not have one, a Coyne Medical GP can assess you and arrange a referral by phone, video, or in-person consultation before your appointment.
We are not currently able to directly bill insurance companies for Ultrasound services. We have well-established relationships directly billing several major international insurers and hope to update this shortly.
We accept self-pay for Ultrasound Consultations; our price list is above.
No. Mammography uses low-dose X-ray to produce images of the breast and remains the primary screening tool for detecting breast cancer in women without symptoms. Breast ultrasound uses sound waves and involves no radiation. The two investigations are complementary. Ultrasound is particularly useful for assessing specific areas of concern, evaluating dense breast tissue, and investigating symptoms, and is often used alongside mammography rather than instead of it.
Breast ultrasound is appropriate for women with a new lump or area of thickening, breast pain that is persistent or localised, nipple discharge or skin changes, or an axillary lump. It is also used to provide further information following a mammogram, particularly in women with dense breast tissue where mammography alone may not give a complete picture.
We are happy to share details of your care at any time with your consent with your NHS GP or other professionals such as physiotherapists involved in your care. You will also receive your own result to keep for your own records.
The Consultant Radiologist will give you a formal report of your ultrasound scan, which may include a recommendation to see a specialist. If you would like a private referral, we can arrange a consultation with one of our private GPs. We have excellent close working relationships with some of the best specialists in London.
Yes. A female chaperone is always present during breast ultrasound appointments at Coyne Medical.
If your ultrasound scan results indicate a biopsy is required Dr Upadhyay will talk you through the best way to arrange this via the NHS or private care.
If your scan identifies something that requires further assessment, Dr Upadhyay will discuss this with you at the appointment. Our GPs can arrange an urgent private referral to a breast surgeon or oncologist where needed, and will support you through any further investigation.
Yes. Breast ultrasound is not affected by breast density in the same way as mammography and can identify abnormalities that may be obscured on a mammogram. For women who have been told they have dense breasts, or whose mammogram has been difficult to interpret, breast ultrasound is a particularly useful additional investigation. Read our full guide to dense breasts for more information.
Also at Coyne Medical
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound London — consultant radiologist-led scanning and image-guided injections for shoulder, wrist, and joint problems.