General Ultrasound

Breast Ultrasound – Targeted

A focused scan of one area of concern in the breast or armpit: a lump you can feel, a patch of pain that will not settle, or a change in one spot. It shows what is there, how big it is, and whether it needs anything further.

Book this scan Call +353 1 514 3601

Performed and reported by accredited clinicians.

Duration: 15–20 minutes
Price: €145, report included

Published by SANFI Diagnostics

Last updated 31 October 2026

About this scan

What is a breast ultrasound – targeted?

A targeted breast ultrasound concentrates on the area you, or your GP, are worried about, together with the nearby lymph nodes in the armpit. It uses sound waves, involves no radiation and no compression of the breast, and is the usual first test for a breast lump in women under forty.

What most breast lumps turn out to be

The large majority of breast lumps are benign. Simple cysts, which are small sacs of fluid, and fibroadenomas, which are smooth, firm, benign growths, account for many of them. Ultrasound tells these apart from each other, and from normal lumpy breast tissue, with a high degree of confidence.

How it fits with mammography

Ultrasound and mammography see different things. Ultrasound is particularly good in younger, denser breasts and at telling solid from fluid; mammography is better at small calcifications. From around forty, a new lump is usually assessed with both, and where a mammogram would add something the report will say so.

When a scan is not the whole answer

Some findings have features that cannot be settled on imaging alone and need a small sample, a biopsy, to be certain. Where that is the case the report says so plainly and recommends the next step, and anything that needs prompt attention is telephoned to you and your GP the same day.

When to have it

When is the best time to have a breast ultrasound – targeted?

Ideal timing: As soon as a change is noticed.

A new lump or change

Should be checked promptly. Please see your GP as well, who can refer you to a symptomatic breast clinic if that is appropriate.
Breast tenderness that varies with your cycle

If you still menstruate, the week after your period ends is often the most comfortable time, when the breasts are least tender and swollen.
A lump that is growing, hard or fixed

Should not wait. Book promptly and contact your GP the same week.

What we check

What does a breast ultrasound – targeted check?

The area of concern, examined in detail
Whether a lump is solid, fluid-filled or mixed
Its size, shape, margins and blood supply
The surrounding breast tissue in that region
The lymph nodes in the armpit on the same side

What's included

What is included in the €145?

The ultrasound examination, performed by an accredited sonographer or consultant
A written report by a consultant radiologist, with measurements and a clear conclusion
The report to your GP within three working days, with your consent
A clear recommendation on whether anything further, such as a mammogram or biopsy, is needed

The price you are quoted is the price you pay. No separate reporting fee, no consultation surcharge.

Why people book it

Why might I need a breast ultrasound – targeted?

Palpable breast lump
Lump or swelling in the armpit
Focal breast pain
Localised skin or nipple change

What to expect

What happens during a breast ultrasound – targeted?

Before your scan

No preparation is needed. Wear a two-piece outfit, and avoid deodorant, talc or creams on the breast and armpit on the day. If the lump is hard to find lying down, note where it is or mark it lightly with a pen. Bring any previous breast imaging reports.

During the scan

You undress from the waist up and lie on the couch with a gown or cover, your arm raised behind your head. The sonographer asks you to point out the area, applies warm gel and examines it with a small high-frequency probe, then checks the armpit. It is painless. Allow about fifteen to twenty minutes.

After your scan

No after-effects. The sonographer may tell you what they can see on the day. The written consultant report follows, typically within three working days, and goes to your GP with your consent.

How to prepare

No preparation required. Wear a two-piece outfit so you only need to undress from the waist up, and avoid deodorant, talc or creams on the breast and armpit on the day.

Book your Breast Ultrasound – Targeted

€145 including the consultant report, 15–20 minutes. Choose a time online, or send an enquiry and we will call you back, usually within one working day. If you need to reschedule, please let us know as early as you can.

Request an Appointment Call +353 1 514 3601

Questions

Common questions about a breast ultrasound – targeted

Do I need a GP referral?

No. You can refer yourself. We still recommend seeing your GP about any new breast lump, because they can arrange a symptomatic breast clinic appointment if one is needed.

Can ultrasound tell me if a lump is cancer?

It identifies most lumps confidently, and the great majority are clearly benign. Where a lump has features that are not clear-cut, the report says so and recommends a biopsy, which is what answers the question definitively.

Do you scan men?

Yes. Breast lumps and swelling in men, including gynaecomastia, are assessed in exactly the same way.

Should I have a targeted or a bilateral scan?

Targeted if there is one specific area of concern. If you have symptoms in both breasts, or want a general assessment of breast tissue, a bilateral scan is the better choice.

Who will perform the scan?

All of our sonographers and clinical staff are female.

Also consider