AskDrWalker.com's:  Physical Breast Examination

In the doctor's office, a clinical or physical breast examination is carried out by a specially trained examiner.
A physical breast examination may detect a cancer that cannot be seen on a mammogram.
It includes a visual inspection and examination of the breasts in an upright (sitting), supine (lying) and partial oblique position.
The Examiner record their findings and may refer women to a Surgeon or Breast Specialist if they detect abnormalities such as asymmetry, a mass, thickening, abnormal lymph nodes or nipple discharge or retraction.
The complete female examination (including instruction in breast self examination) takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Breast Self Examination

Good Breast Health Is Always Important

If you examine your breasts every month, you will get to know how they look and feel. This will make it easier to notice any changes. If you notice any of the following changes in one breast, compare it to your other breast. If you are still in doubt, have your doctor examine you as soon as possible.

 

  1. Changes in the size or shape of your breasts.
  2. Areas of your breast that become red, feel hot or look like an orange peel.
  3. Dimples, creases, or folds of your breast skin that are new.
  4. Changes to your nipples or your nipple area such as an itchy red rash.
  5. Lumps in your breasts that were not present before.
  6. Fluid leaking from your nipple.
  7. Check your breasts at the same time every month; about 7 days after the first day of your period.
  8. After menopause, or a hysterectomy, check them on the same day every month, for example the first day of the month.
  9. Have an annual physical examination (including a breast examination) by your family physician once a year.
  10. The MOST IMPORTANT things to remember about breast self examination are:
    Do it regularly
    Show any unusual changes to your doctor
    Do a complete check each time
    MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO IT EVERY MONTH!

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