Yes. A valid referral from your GP or specialist is required before you can book a breast ultrasound at South East Radiology.

Your doctor might refer you for a breast ultrasound if you have noticed something specific, such as a lump or localised pain, or if a screening mammogram has picked up something that needs a closer look. This scan is particularly useful for people with dense breast tissue, which can make it harder to assess certain areas on a mammogram alone.

Since the images appear in real time, breast ultrasound also gives our radiologists a way to look more closely at a lump found on mammography, for example to help work out whether a common and usually benign finding, such as a cyst or a fibroadenoma, is present.
 

Yes. It can help assess mastitis (inflammation or infection of the breast tissue, which is most common during breastfeeding) and check for a related fluid collection called an abscess. Your doctor will let you know if this applies to your situation and manage any treatment needed.

Breast ultrasound is one of the tools your doctor may use, often together with mammography, to look more closely at an area of concern. On its own, it cannot diagnose cancer. If our radiologist finds something that needs further assessment, your doctor may recommend additional imaging or a biopsy to reach a diagnosis.

A screening mammogram is offered as a routine check for people without symptoms. A diagnostic breast ultrasound is typically requested by your doctor to examine a specific symptom or finding more closely, often as a follow-up to a mammogram, rather than as a population screening test.

You do not need to fast or adjust your medication before a breast ultrasound. Wear something comfortable that is easy to adjust from the waist up, and bring your referral and Medicare card along. Please arrive around 15 minutes before your appointment so we have time to complete your check-in.

You will lie on an examination bed, usually on your back, and may be asked to change into a gown or adjust your clothing so the area can be examined. Wearing separate top and bottom pieces tends to make this more comfortable.

Your sonographer will apply a clear gel to the skin and move the transducer over the area your doctor wants examined. Most people find the scan comfortable, though you may notice some light pressure. Once the images are complete, a radiologist reviews them and sends your report to your referring doctor.
 

Most breast ultrasound appointments take between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on what your doctor has asked us to examine.

The cost depends on the specific item requested by your doctor and your individual circumstances. Our team will confirm the expected cost when you book your appointment.

Most images and reports are available through the Patient Results app and web portal within 7 to 10 days of your appointment. If you need your results sooner, please contact your referring doctor directly.

We suggest arranging alternative childcare for the day of your scan, or bringing another adult with you to look after your child. Children cannot be present in the examination room, and there is no supervision available in the waiting area, as our staff need to remain fully focused on your examination.