Mammogram showed dense tissue. Ultrasound next step?

[Rufffles]

I had a routine medical screening through my work-paid private medical insurance a few weeks ago. They offered me a mammogram (I am 44) and I agreed. It was my first. A few days after the mammogram the doctor I saw for my initial screening called me and said the mammogram showed I have dense breast tissue so very little could be seen (NB they didn't spot anything concerning...but that's the point...they could really see anything).

The doc has said I can go for an ultrasound as a next step. But the cost is circa £500 and not covered by my insurance. While I can afford it, it would be a stretch for me.

I have no family history of breast cancer (that I'm aware of) and no symptoms. I'm generally pretty healthy. My first NHS routine mammogram isn't due for another 5+ years, though.

Does anyone have any advice on what to do? I have found places offering these ultrasounds without referrals for significantly less than the price I've been quoted. Would that be a decent option? I feel a bit lost! Thanks in advance.

could not really see anything. Sorry for confusion!

My first question given your relatively young age is how conclusive would an ultrasound be? Would you be satisfied with the level of confidence they will have in the results? Are you in fact concerned about your mammogram result (on the nhs the screen you’ve presumably had is called “gold standard”, although they are researching whether other types of screening could be more effective for women with dense tissue).

Dense breast tissue is common in younger women, hence why mammograms aren't offered to younger women - they're often not reliable enough to see any problems.

An ultrasound would give you the answers the want.

It's difficult to advise what the correct thing to do is, but if it were me I'd definitely need to have an answer.

Contact pals. You should have that on the NHS if there is any concern

@FlowerBarrow Thanks for replying. I'm not concerned about the result from the mammogram, as no abnormality was found. But if an abnormality was present it sounds as if the mammogram might not have detected it anyway due to the dense tissue.

I feel like my options are

1-have the recommended ultrasound at £500 or so
2-get a cheaper ultrasound elsewhere
3-do nothing and wait until I'm due for NHS routine mammograms (or whatever the standard is by then)

Sounds like a bit of a swizz…part of the reason mammography isn’t done before age 50 is that dense breast tissue makes it difficult to interpret - ultrasound is used in preference when imaging is clinically indicated. Sounds like a bit of a money making venture to offer a test that would predictably not be that helpful but might increase anxiety enough to pay for a second modality. Probably the best bet is to discuss examination findings & risk factors with someone who knows what they’re doing.

I’m 60 and have dense breast tissue. My gp said unless there was a history of breast cancer or any symptoms then I wouldn’t need to have an ultrasound.

Hi
I am 47 and have dense breasts. I actually have an ultrasound because they can't see enough on a mammogram due to the density.
I don't think they are trying to get more money out of you, they are trying to make sure you don't have anything suspicious. Go to your nhs breast clinic and explain they may do a ultrasound.

They won’t do an ultrasound in England if she’s under 50 and has no symptoms

I have had numerous ultrasounds with the nhs. If it's the Trust who doesn't then I would push.
This is why there are a number of Consultants pushing for better governance on dense breasts.
Look up dense breasts uk for more information.