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Imaging · London

Private mammography in London, read by a consultant breast radiologist.

A new lump, a change your GP wants a proper look at, or simply the reassurance of a private screen every year - the answer takes an afternoon, not weeks. You’ll be seen at a CQC‑registered London breast unit where ultrasound, MRI and a needle biopsy can all happen in the same visit if the images raise a question.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private mammogram actually costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£200-£800, reported in 24-72 hours.

Study Indicative range
Screening mammogram (2 views per breast) £200–£400
Symptomatic mammogram + clinical review £300–£550
3D mammogram / tomosynthesis £300–£600
Mammogram + ultrasound (triple assessment) £400–£800
Follow-up / recall imaging £250–£500
Second-opinion read £250–£450

Prices vary by clinic, time of day, whether 3D tomosynthesis is used, and whether ultrasound or same-day biopsy is added.

The problem

The right study, on the right day, read by the right radiologist.

Screening, a symptom and a recall are different studies. Add 3D imaging, add ultrasound, add a same-day biopsy pathway - the choice matters. A consultant breast radiologist reading it is what turns a mammogram into an answer.

  • Not sure if you need one?

    Screening is age- and history-based. A symptom needs a different pathway. The aim is to work out which fits, or whether another test is better.

  • Not sure who reads it?

    Look for clinics where a consultant breast radiologist reports the study.

What it shows

Find the reason that matches your situation.

Screening, a lump, a recall or a follow-up each call for a different study. These are the most common.

  • A palpable lump

    Investigates a lump you or a GP can feel.

  • Screening (asymptomatic)

    Age-based or family-history-based screening for early detection.

  • Microcalcifications

    One of the earliest signs of early breast cancer.

  • Dense breasts

    Mammography is less sensitive in dense breasts - ultrasound is often added.

  • Recall from screening

    Focused imaging to characterise a screening finding.

  • Symmetry & change

    Comparison with previous mammograms detects subtle change.

  • Post-treatment follow-up

    After lumpectomy or radiotherapy.

  • Red flags

    Skin change, nipple discharge, sudden asymmetry - see the safety section.

Mammography types

Not all mammograms are the same.

What each option on your referral is actually for.

  • Standard 2D mammogram

    Two views of each breast on modern low-dose digital equipment. The routine screening study.

  • 3D mammogram (tomosynthesis)

    Multiple thin slices through the breast, useful in dense tissue and equivocal findings.

  • Symptomatic + clinical assessment

    Imaging combined with a breast specialist review when you have symptoms.

  • Mammogram + ultrasound

    Adds ultrasound in the same visit - the mainstay in dense breasts and for lump characterisation.

  • Triple-assessment clinic

    Imaging plus biopsy on the day if a finding needs it - the standard for a suspicious lump.

  • Contrast-enhanced mammography (specialist)

    Contrast highlights areas of concern; an alternative to breast MRI in selected cases.

  • Male mammography

    For men with a breast lump, gynaecomastia or a strong family history.

  • Post-treatment surveillance mammogram

    Annual imaging after breast-cancer treatment.

Safety and eligibility

A low-dose, well-established test.

A few things to know before you come in - dose, implants, cycle timing.

  • Radiation dose

    Dose is low - about 0.4 mSv per exam, roughly the same as 6 weeks of natural background radiation.

  • Pregnancy

    Mammography is usually deferred in pregnancy; ultrasound is used instead unless imaging is urgent.

  • Breastfeeding

    Mammography can be done while breastfeeding, though scheduling and interpretation may be adjusted.

  • Breast implants

    Special views (Eklund views) may be needed to see the breast tissue clearly around the implant.

  • Cycle timing

    Days 7-14 of your cycle tend to be less uncomfortable, as the breasts are less tender.

  • Discomfort during compression

    Firm compression is normal and brief. It is uncomfortable, not injurious, and gives clearer images at a lower dose.

  • Deodorant, talc and perfume

    Avoid these on the chest and underarms on the day - they can mimic microcalcifications on the images.

  • Under-40s

    Younger, denser breasts often start with ultrasound; mammography is added if needed.

Reading your report

A breast report can look intimidating. It isn’t.

However detailed the study, the report keeps to the same four parts.

A consultant breast radiologist reviewing mammography images on a clinical workstation in Central London

A quiet reminder

The report is written for your breast specialist, not for you - and that is normal.

Ask your clinician to talk you through it before your follow-up.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details and the indication

    Your details, the study performed, and the clinical question - screening, a symptom, a recall or a follow-up.

  2. 02 Technique

    How the study was done

    Which views were taken and whether 2D, 3D (tomosynthesis) or combined imaging was used.

  3. 03 Findings

    What the radiologist saw

    Each breast described in turn, using BI-RADS density and assessment categories or graded plain language.

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    The conclusion and any recommended next step - from routine follow-up to same-day biopsy. Your specialist discusses it with you.

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Frequently asked

Common questions about mammography.

Quick answers on cost, referrals, 2D vs 3D, dense breasts and results.

  • How soon can I get a private mammogram in London?

    Private providers often see patients within one to three working days, with evening and Saturday appointments common. If you’ve found a lump or skin change, ask for same‑ or next‑day triple assessment - imaging, examination and biopsy under one roof.

  • How much does a private mammogram cost in London?

    A symptomatic study or 3D mammogram is £300–£600, and a full triple assessment with ultrasound £400–£800.

  • Do I need a referral?

    No - most private mammography providers accept self-referral for screening and for many symptomatic studies. For a suspicious lump the usual route is straight into a triple-assessment clinic with a breast specialist.

  • At what age should I start having mammograms?

    The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites women aged 50-70 every three years. Privately, many women choose to start earlier - typically from 40, or from 35-40 if there is a strong family history. Your GP or a breast specialist can help you decide what is sensible for you.

  • Is the radiation from a mammogram safe?

    The dose is very low - about 0.4 mSv, roughly six weeks of natural background radiation. For women in the screening age range the benefits of detecting cancer early clearly outweigh the small risk.

  • Is a 3D mammogram (tomosynthesis) better than a 2D one?

    For many women, especially those with dense breasts, 3D imaging picks up slightly more cancers and reduces recall rates.

  • I have dense breasts. Is mammography enough?

    Mammography is less sensitive in dense breasts. In that setting it is typically combined with ultrasound in the same visit, and for higher-risk women may add MRI.

  • What is the difference between mammogram, ultrasound and MRI?

    Mammography is the workhorse for screening and calcifications. Ultrasound is best for characterising a lump and for dense or younger breasts. MRI is the most sensitive test and is used for high-risk screening, staging and problem-solving. Often two are used together.

  • How quickly will I get the results?

    A consultant breast radiologist report is usually ready in 24-72 hours. With your consent, the report and images can be sent to your GP or breast specialist.

  • When should I see a GP urgently?

    A new lump, skin dimpling or thickening, nipple inversion, spontaneous or bloody nipple discharge, or sudden asymmetry should be seen quickly - not waited on for a screening slot.

Related content

Looking for a different test?

In practice, in London

Where mammography sits in a private London pathway

With mammography, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. The wait for mammography on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.

In practice, a private mammography appointment in London means a named consultant, a proper hour in the room (or the equivalent on a video call), and a report you can actually read. Many private imaging suites and endoscopy units sit within a mile of Harley Street or in Chelsea and Fulham, and turnaround on findings is measured in days, not weeks. For mammography specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

There are dozens of consultants in London who see mammography - but not all of them are the right fit for every case. The right first appointment saves you from repeating yourself later.