Private ultrasound

Ask our Nurses your questions
1

Hi,

I have been referred under FDS by GP. My appointment is in two weeks time.

I had asked GP a couple of weeks ago about private options and she said to stay with NHS as they are one stop shop and have everything there.

This is affecting my mental health now, I can’t sleep and am worrying all the time (I’m not usually a worrier).

I have looked at private scans and can find ultrasounds for about £150. I would not be able to afford anything more.

Is it worth paying for a private ultrasound or won’t that really show much?

It’s an obvious palpable lump and I’m 45.

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2

Hi there!

It is terrifying to find a lump and the waiting to be seen is awful.

Some private hospitals offer one stop shop breast lump assessment clinics- there is one in Wirral, where I live ( and have visited for a previous cyst). It will cost more than £150 almost certainly. Alternatively you could see a breast surgeon privately to get their opinion but they would want to see a mammogram +/- an ultrasound.

I hope you get it sorted soon!

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Hello, I’m sorry you are so worried. It’s definitely a worrying time.
I am just wondering if you got a private scan would that really speed things up by much? They might be able to tell if the lump is non cancerous but what if its not completely clear? They would then have to do a biopsy before they are sure of anything. Would the private scan include the biopsy also? I imagine these things cost a lot.
The waiting is just awful though and I really feel for you. Sending you some big hugs.
Try to remain positive, even the most suspicious lumps can suprise the doctors and end up non cancerous.
As someone said to me earlier this week, lots of us here do have breast cancer but there are more people that dont get that diagnosis :heart:

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Hey! Sorry you find yourself here :sparkling_heart:

My personal opinion would be wait for the NHS appointment, I couldn’t handle the wait so I booked a private ultrasound which just picked up 2 benign cysts so I went away feeling great. Very luckily I still went along to my NHS appointment the following week and when they scanned me found an area of concern and did a mammogram too to double check it. On the same day they also did a biopsy so they could be certain. Unfortunately mine was BC, but if I could go back now I wouldn’t of bothered with the private one as it just gave me false hope and the NHS breast clinics really assess you and provide different scans where needed. They also provided MRI’s, mammogram biopsies and MRI biopsies on the cyst areas which luckily did come back benign but the private ultrasound had completely missed the BC.

Sending you lots of love because I know how horrible the waiting is but just remember there’s lots of other things it could be xx

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Personally, I’d wait for the NHS. If the ultrasound showed something you’d either have to wait for the NHS appointment anyway or fund the next steps yourself if you couldn’t wait.

I have a relative overseas who works in the medical field and she said the UK has the best researchers and cancer treatment is 2nd to none. My sister also has a friend who is a cancer pathologist. She asked her if she’d go private (they both could afford it) and the pathologist said absolutely not. The NHS is gold standard, a true example if a positive NHS story and despite affording private healthcare they would both go NHS for cancer treatment.

The cancer diagnosis and treatment is very much speed up to slow down, it involves lots of testing and waiting but also most people who go to a breast clinic with a lump turn out not to be cancer.

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I went private because, like you, I didn’t want to wait for the result. When I informed my GP of the diagnosis, he then put me on the two week wait again to go through the same again with the NHS, as they wanted to do their own tests! You won’t save time by going privately, sadly, so don’t cancel your NHS appointment and save yourself the time and money xx

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Hi myboobsmybusiness,

Thanks for posting on our forum.

We hope to be able to respond to you soon.

In the meantime our helpline is open from 9am tomorrow.

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With best wishes,

Charlotte

Ask Our Nurses service coordinator

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Hi myboobsmybusiness,

Thanks for posting.

Breast changes including breast lumps can happen for many reasons. They may be due to hormonal changes as part of your monthly cycle (if you are still having periods) or due to benign conditions (not cancer).

However, waiting for an appointment and having investigations can be a worrying and stressful time as others have mentioned. People often experience anxiety while they wait and may find it difficult to concentrate or like you, find that their sleeping pattern changes.

You mention that you have an appointment in two weeks to be seen at the breast clinic but its natural to wonder about private care as you are so worried. As highlighted by others, having a private ultrasound would not necessarily be the only test required. Assessment of breast symptoms at a breast clinic usually requires a combination of tests such as a clinical examination, breast imaging (mammogram, ultrasound) and sometimes a biopsy.

Waiting is difficult and if you would like to talk about how you are feeling or have any other questions you are welcome to call us on the helpline. We have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary.

While you wait for your appointment, the following hints and tips on managing anxiety may be helpful.

As mentioned above, do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.

Our number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties dial 18001 followed by our number and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.

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Best wishes,

Eve

Breast Care Nurse

Please read the disclaimer Full details on how we collect and use your data can be found in our Privacy Policy

As we are unable to monitor for further replies, this thread will now be closed. If you have any additional questions or would like to provide feedback, please start a new thread, call our helpline, email us or request a call back.