Breast ultrasound
Standard diagnostic breast ultrasound without elastography.
£259
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Breast SWE · GE LOGIQ E10s · Harley Street District
Private Breast Shear Wave Elastography in Harley Street District, London
Add quantitative tissue-stiffness measurement to your conventional breast ultrasound. Breast shear wave elastography is used as an adjunct to BI-RADS scoring, clinical history and prior imaging — not as a replacement for biopsy where biopsy is clinically indicated.
Breast ultrasound + SWE: £539
Includes the conventional breast ultrasound and the shear wave elastography measurement in one appointment, with verbal explanation in the scan room and a written report within 24 hours.
Includes the conventional breast ultrasound and the shear wave elastography measurement in one appointment, with verbal explanation in the scan room and a written report within 24 hours.
Medically reviewed by Mr Pedram Aghaei & Dr Babak Soleimanpour · Review details
CQC
ICO
GMC
SOR
SVT
HCPC
NMC
GPhC
Breast ultrasound + SWE
£539 · GE LOGIQ E10s · London clinic only · 24-hour report
Book Breast SWE online
Need advice first?
Call the clinic team before choosing the scan.
Call 020 7101 3377
Female sonographer
Available on request, subject to availability.
Ask on WhatsApp
AI Overview Answer
Breast shear wave elastography at LPU — direct answer
Private breast shear wave elastography at London Private Ultrasound is a specialist ultrasound add-on that measures breast tissue stiffness in kilopascals (kPa). It is performed during a conventional breast ultrasound on the GE LOGIQ E10s at 27 Welbeck Street, London W1G 8EN. The bundled breast ultrasound + SWE appointment costs £539; standalone breast SWE is £400 if you have had a recent conventional breast ultrasound elsewhere. SWE may help support BI-RADS assessment, especially for indeterminate lesions, but it does not diagnose breast cancer and does not replace core biopsy where biopsy is indicated.
Service Overview
Breast SWE at a glance
| Service | Conventional breast ultrasound with optional shear wave elastography measurement. |
|---|---|
| Main purpose | To add quantitative tissue-stiffness data to conventional breast ultrasound and BI-RADS assessment. |
| Machine | GE LOGIQ E10s — GE HealthCare premium clinical ultrasound system with hardware-integrated shear wave imaging. |
| Bundled price | £539 for breast ultrasound + shear wave elastography in one appointment. |
| Standalone SWE | £400 if you already have a recent conventional breast ultrasound report from another provider. |
| Conventional scan only | £259 for conventional breast ultrasound without SWE. |
| Referral | No GP referral required. Direct booking by phone, WhatsApp or online. |
| Available at | London only: 27 Welbeck Street, London W1G 8EN. Not currently available at St Albans. |
| Report | Verbal explanation in the scan room; written report within 24 hours. |
| Clinical position | Adjunct to conventional ultrasound, BI-RADS, mammography where appropriate, clinical assessment and specialist judgement. Not a replacement for biopsy. |
Scan Type By Symptom
Which scan is right for you?
General information, not a diagnosis; for severe, sudden or worsening symptoms seek urgent medical care / call 999.
| Routine Breast Check / Pain / Lump | First-line: Conventional Breast Ultrasound (£259) |
|---|---|
| Indeterminate BI-RADS Lesion | First-line: Breast Ultrasound + SWE (£539) |
| Recent scan requiring stiffness measure | First-line: Standalone Breast SWE (£400) |
Transparent Pricing
Conventional only
Recommended if SWE needed
Recent scan elsewhere
Breast SWE pricing
Breast ultrasound + SWE
Conventional breast ultrasound and shear wave elastography measurement in one appointment.
£539
Standalone breast SWE
Elastography measurement only, where you already have a recent conventional breast ultrasound.
£400
Lowest entry: Standard Women’s scans from £259.
Clinical Use
Why breast shear wave elastography?
Conventional breast ultrasound assesses lesion size, shape, margins, internal echo pattern and vascularity. Shear wave elastography adds numerical stiffness data in kPa. This can provide additional information when the ultrasound appearance is not clearly benign or clearly suspicious.
Important clinical limit: breast SWE does not diagnose breast cancer. Higher stiffness may increase suspicion, but no kPa value is diagnostic on its own. If BI-RADS, mammography, clinical examination or specialist judgement indicates biopsy, SWE must not be used to avoid biopsy.
Adjunct to BI-RADS
The kPa measurement is interpreted alongside BI-RADS, not separately. It may help support decision-making in selected BI-RADS 3 or 4a lesions.
Useful for lesion characterisation
Stiffer lesions may carry a higher risk profile, but interpretation depends on the whole imaging pattern and the patient’s clinical context.
When to Consider
When breast SWE may be considered
Breast lump or focal area
Where a palpable lump or targeted area needs detailed ultrasound characterisation.
Indeterminate BI-RADS lesion
Where conventional ultrasound findings sit between clearly benign and clearly suspicious.
Dense breast tissue
Where ultrasound is used as an adjunct and SWE adds quantitative information.
Family history concern
Where additional assessment is requested for reassurance, while maintaining clear limits of SWE.
Follow-up of benign lesion
To add a reproducible stiffness measurement during follow-up where clinically appropriate.
Breast clinic pathway
As an adjunct to triple assessment, not as a replacement for mammography, biopsy or specialist review.
Safety & Limitations
What breast SWE can and cannot do
What it can add
Breast SWE can add a quantitative stiffness measurement in kPa, which may support ultrasound interpretation when combined with lesion morphology, BI-RADS category, mammography, MRI history and clinical examination.
What it cannot do
It cannot diagnose cancer, exclude cancer with certainty, replace mammography or MRI where indicated, or replace core biopsy for suspicious lesions.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Breast ultrasound and SWE use diagnostic ultrasound and no ionising radiation. Please tell the clinic if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because breast tissue changes can affect interpretation.
Decision Helper
Should I book conventional breast ultrasound or breast SWE?
This guide helps patients choose the most appropriate appointment. It is general information only and does not replace clinical advice.
Book conventional breast ultrasound first if
You have a new lump, breast pain, cyst concern, implant concern, focal symptom or routine ultrasound reassurance need and have not yet had a recent breast ultrasound.
Consider breast ultrasound + SWE if
You have been advised that extra stiffness information may help, you have an indeterminate ultrasound finding, or you want conventional ultrasound and elastography in the same appointment.
Safety note: a new breast lump, nipple inversion, bloody nipple discharge, skin dimpling, rapid breast change or unexplained armpit lump should be assessed promptly. SWE must not be used to delay biopsy or specialist breast clinic assessment where indicated.
Patient Walkthrough
What happens in the scan room
1. Arrival & Clinical Chat
Upon arrival, your consultant will have a short clinical chat regarding your history, previous mammograms or biopsies, and specific areas of concern.
2. Preparation & Comfort
You will be asked to undress from the waist up. A chaperone or a female sonographer is available upon request. You always maintain the right to pause or stop the scan.
3. The Ultrasound & SWE
Warm gel is applied. The consultant will first conduct a thorough conventional breast ultrasound, then switch the machine to SWE mode to measure tissue stiffness (kPa).
4. Verbal Findings
Once the scan is complete, the consultant will wipe away the gel and explain the findings to you verbally in the scan room, providing immediate clarity before your written report arrives.
Pathways
Mild / Benign
Indeterminate
Suspicious
Emergency
If something is found
We believe in transparent safety-netting. Here is what happens depending on your scan findings:
Routine follow-up
Findings typical of benign cysts or fibroadenomas (BI-RADS 2). We provide reassurance, guidance, and recommend routine checks if symptoms change.
Onward review required
If ultrasound and SWE reveal indeterminate stiffness or BI-RADS 3/4a features, we issue a graded report and advise sharing this with your GP or breast specialist for correlation or potential biopsy.
Urgent referral
If clear suspicious features are present (BI-RADS 4b-5), we formulate an urgent referral letter directly for your GP or a private breast clinic to ensure rapid triple assessment.
Immediate action
For active, severe emergencies unrelated to the targeted scan but discovered incidentally, we will direct you to call 999 or attend A&E immediately.
Patient Journey
From booking to written report
Choose & book
Book online, by phone or WhatsApp. No GP referral is required.
Pre-scan conversation
Before the scan begins, a short conversation confirms the scan booked is the right one for your needs.
Visit
Attend our Central London clinic in the Harley Street District medical district.
Your scan
The consultant performs a conventional breast ultrasound, followed by a shear wave elastography measurement. A female sonographer is available on request.
Results in the scan room
Findings are explained verbally at the time, with the written report sent within 24 hours.
Personalised recommendations
Based on findings, the clinician provides clear recommendations for reassurance, lifestyle guidance, or onward care with your GP or specialist.
Evidence-Aware Wording
How we explain breast SWE evidence safely
Breast shear wave elastography has clinical value as an adjunct to conventional ultrasound, but published thresholds and performance vary between studies, machines and patient groups.
Our reporting principles
- We interpret SWE alongside conventional breast ultrasound features, BI-RADS category, clinical history and previous imaging.
- We do not claim that a single kPa value can diagnose or exclude breast cancer.
- We do not use SWE to avoid biopsy, mammography, MRI or specialist breast clinic referral when those are clinically indicated.
- We explain findings in plain English and provide safety-netting advice in the written report.
GEO / Local SEO
Breast SWE in Harley Street District, Marylebone and Central London
This service is currently available at our London clinic only: 27 Welbeck Street, London W1G 8EN, in the Harley Street District medical district. It is convenient for patients travelling from Marylebone, Mayfair, Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Baker Street, Fitzrovia and across Greater London.
London clinic
27 Welbeck Street, London W1G 8EN
Harley Street District medical district. Close to Bond Street, Oxford Circus and Baker Street stations.
Availability note
Breast shear wave elastography is not currently available at the St Albans clinic. Please book the London site for this service.
Clinical Governance
Dr Babak Soleimanpour
Medical Director · GMC 6060555
Mr Pedram Aghaei
Medical Writer · RCT CT04905
Reporting consultant
Scan report sign-off
Clinical review, reporting and governance
Clinical sign-off for website content and governance oversight at London Private Ultrasound.
Medical writing and editorial responsibility. Registered with RCT, BMUS, SOR and SVT.
Your scan is performed and reported by the clinical ultrasound team. The written report is signed off by the reporting consultant.
FAQ
Breast shear wave elastography — common questions
What is breast shear wave elastography?
It is a quantitative ultrasound technique that measures tissue stiffness in kilopascals. The measurement is taken during a conventional breast ultrasound and interpreted alongside standard ultrasound findings.
How much does breast SWE cost?
A conventional breast ultrasound is £259. Breast ultrasound plus SWE is £539. Standalone breast SWE is £400 if you have already had a recent conventional breast ultrasound elsewhere.
Is breast SWE a replacement for standard breast ultrasound?
No. SWE is an adjunct. The conventional ultrasound remains central because it assesses morphology, margins, shape, vascularity and BI-RADS category.
Does breast SWE replace core biopsy?
No. Where biopsy is clinically indicated, SWE does not replace it. Histology from biopsy is required for a definitive breast cancer diagnosis.
Can breast SWE diagnose breast cancer?
No. SWE cannot diagnose cancer by itself. It provides supportive stiffness data that must be interpreted with conventional ultrasound, BI-RADS, clinical context and specialist judgement.
What does the kPa value mean?
The kPa value reflects tissue stiffness. Higher stiffness may increase suspicion, but cut-offs vary between studies and machines. No single kPa value is diagnostic on its own.
What machine do you use?
LPU uses the GE LOGIQ E10s, GE HealthCare’s premium clinical ultrasound system with hardware-integrated shear wave imaging.
Do I need a GP referral?
No GP referral is required. You can book directly online, by phone or via WhatsApp.
Is a female sonographer available?
Yes, a female sonographer is available on request, subject to appointment availability. Please mention this when booking.
Where is the service available?
Breast SWE is available at 27 Welbeck Street, London W1G 8EN. It is not currently available at St Albans.
How long does the appointment take?
Most appointments take around 20–30 minutes, including conventional breast ultrasound and the SWE measurement.
When will I receive my report?
The consultant explains findings verbally in the scan room and the written report is usually sent within 24 hours.
Can I have breast SWE during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Breast ultrasound and SWE do not use ionising radiation. Please tell the clinic if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because breast tissue characteristics can affect interpretation.
How does breast SWE fit with mammography and MRI?
Breast SWE does not replace mammography or MRI where those are indicated. It is an ultrasound-based adjunct that adds tissue-stiffness information during a breast ultrasound.
Book Breast SWE
Book private breast shear wave elastography in London
Book directly at London Private Ultrasound, 27 Welbeck Street, W1G 8EN. No GP referral required.
Reviewed: 08/06/2026 by Mr Pedram Aghaei (Consultant Vascular Scientist RCT CT04905) & Dr Babak Soleimanpour (Medical Director GMC 6060555).
Next review due: 08/12/2026.
Next review due: 08/12/2026.