Breast Exam

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  What Are Breast Exams?

  Breast exams are ways to check a woman's breasts for changes and lumps.

  There are different kinds of breast exams:

  • clinical breast exams performed by a health care provider — often as a routine part of a gynecological exam
  • breast self-exams that you do yourself

  Women over 40 should also get mammograms to check for breast changes and lumps.

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  Why Are Breast Exams Important?

  Breast exams, along with mammograms, can improve the chance of detecting breast cancer early. And the earlier breast cancer is detected and treated, the better for your health.

  Clinical breast exams are very important. Health care providers are experienced in being able to tell if a woman's breasts are healthy or if they have lumps or other problems.

  Every woman's breasts are different. Some women have breasts that are lumpy or hard by nature, while others are soft. By knowing what is normal for you, you will be better able to detect changes in your breasts and seek advice from a health care provider. Often, women with lumps or changes in their breast notice them when they shower, dress, touch, or look at their breasts. Sometimes a woman's partner feels or sees a change.

  Many women choose to do breast self-exams to help them determine what is normal for them.

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  When Should Breast Exams Be Done?

  The American Cancer Society recommends regular clinical breast exams every three years for women in their 20s and 30s. Yearly clinical breast exams are recommended for women after the age of 40.

  Staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center, many other clinics, health departments, and private health care providers can give you a clinical breast exam.

  You may want to start doing breast self-exams in your 20s so you can get to know what is normal for your breasts.

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  What Happens During a Clinical Breast Exam?

  During a clinical breast exam, a health care provider will examine your breasts for any possible signs of breast cancer or other breast problems. This is a good time to talk with your provider about your risks for breast cancer and what you can do to help prevent it.

  For a breast exam, you will undress from the waist up. Your health care provider will look at both breasts, paying close attention to their shape, size, and skin texture. Then, your health care provider will feel your breasts with the pads of her or his fingers for any abnormal texture or lumps. Your health care provider will feel all parts of one breast and then the other, including the nipple, as well as the area beneath each arm.

  The clinical breast exam is also a good time to talk with your health care provider about breast self-exams, if you have questions about them.

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  How Do I Do a Breast Self-Exam?

  A breast-self exam is similar to a clinical breast exam, except you do it yourself. The technique for performing a breast self-exam has changed over the years. It was once suggested that women perform the entire exam while standing up. But it's now known that it's best for women to lie down for part of the exam. Lying down allows the breast tissue to spread out evenly over the chest. This makes it easier to feel all of the breast tissue.

  Choose a time when your breasts are least tender — usually a few days after your period has ended.

  There are three positions for performing a thorough breast self-exam.

  LYING BACK WITH A PILLOW OR FOLDED TOWEL UNDER YOUR RIGHT SHOULDER:

   

  1. Place your right hand behind your head.

  2. Examine every part of your right breast:

  • Use the pads of the three middle fingers of your left hand to feel for lumps, bumps, or thickening.
  • Move from spot to spot on your breast using a straight up-and-down pattern.
  • Press each spot using a small, circular motion.
  • Use three levels of pressure in each spot — light, for the breast tissue near the surface, medium, for the tissue underneath, and firm, for the tissue that is closest to the ribs.

  3. Now switch positions and feel the left breast with your right hand, making sure to examine all parts of the breast using the up-and-down pattern.

  STANDING UP IN FRONT OF A MIRROR:

  

  1. Place your hands on your hips.

  2. Look at each breast for changes in size, shape, and form.

  RAISING YOUR RIGHT ARM SLIGHTLY TO THE SIDE:

  

  1. Examine the underarm with your left hand.

  2. Feel for lumps, bumps, or thickening in the same way as you examined your breasts.

  3. Repeat with the other underarm.

  How and when women check their breasts vary. There are some women who perform breast self-exams regularly, and some women who do self-exams from time to time. Other women leave all breast exams to their health care provider.

  Knowing your breasts may help you notice changes sooner. But if you find a change in your breasts, it does not necessarily mean you have cancer. There are many other, less serious problems that can cause breast changes such as cysts, infections, or injuries. You should report any changes you find to your health care provider as soon as possible.

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  What Should I Do If I Find a Lump?

  If you find a lump in your breast, talk to a health care provider as soon as possible. A health care provider can perform a clinical breast exam and physical exam to help determine if the lumps may be a sign of breast cancer. Your health care provider may order further testing, such as a mammogram or biopsy.

  Staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center, many other clinics, health departments, and private health care providers can help you get any tests or treatment you may need.