Breast Exam

Why It Is Done

A clinical breast examination is done to:

• Find a lump or change in the breast that may mean a serious problem is present, such as breast cancer.
• Check other breast problems that may need more treatment, such as mastitis or a fibroadenoma.

How To Prepare

Tell your health professional if you:

• Have a new lump or change in your breasts. This includes a change in the way your nipples look or if you have any nipple discharge.
• Some people have nipples that sink into the breast, called inverted nipples. For these people, this is normal. But if you don't usually have inverted nipples and then notice a change where your nipple becomes inverted, tell your doctor.
• Have a personal or family history of breast cancer.

You may want to have your examination 1 to 2 weeks after your menstrual period ends, if you are still menstruating. Your breasts are less likely to be tender at that time.

How It Is Done

A clinical breast examination is done by a health professional. You will need to take off your clothes above the waist. You will be given a gown to wear during the examination.

First, your health professional will ask you questions about any problems you may have, your medical history, and your risk factors for breast cancer. Talk to your health professional about any areas of your breasts you may be concerned about.

Your health professional will then examine each breast, underarm, and collarbone area for changes in breast size, skin changes, or signs of injury or infection, such as bruising or redness. You may be asked to lift your arms over your head, put your hands on your hips, or lean forward and press your hands together to tighten the muscle beneath each breast during this part of the examination. You may also lie flat on the table and put your arm behind your head while your health professional checks your breast tissue.

Your health professional will feel (palpate) each breast for any unusual or painful areas or for a dominant lump. A dominant lump in the breast is any lump that is new, larger, harder, or different in any other way from other lumps or the rest of the breast tissue.

Your health professional will gently press on the breast tissue from about 1 in. (2.5 cm) below the breast up to the collarbone. He or she also will examine your armpit (axillary area) and your neck for swollen glands (lymph nodes). Your health professional will likely press gently on your nipple to check for any discharge.

After the examination, your health professional may teach you how to examine your own breasts (breast self-examination) and help you practice doing it.

How It Feels

A clinical breast examination normally does not cause any discomfort unless your breasts are tender.

Risks

There are no known risks from having this test.

Results

Findings of a clinical breast examination may include the following.

A normal clinical breast examination does not mean that breast cancer is not present. Depending on your age and your personal and family history of breast cancer, your health professional may do other tests, such as a mammogram.

If a breast problem is found, the next step depends on the problem.

• Cyclic breast pain, fibrocystic changes, or cysts may just be rechecked to see if they change or go away on their own. Cysts may also be checked by ultrasound or drained with a needle (aspirated) to make sure they are cysts and to help relieve pain.
• A mammogram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound may be needed if a lump is found. Breast tissue may be taken out with a needle (needle aspiration or core biopsy) or through a small cut (biopsy) to be looked at under the microscope.
• Nipple discharge, especially if it is spontaneous or bloody, may be looked at under a microscope for unusual cells.