Clinical Breast Examination

It is important that you examine your own breasts regularly in order to detect any unusual growth in the mammary glands, such as tenderness or lumpiness, as these may be early signs of cancerous cell growth. Besides, methods like the mammogram are also available for detecting abnormalities in the breast. You should look out for symptoms that might signal such abnormalities, such as the appearance of a new lump on the breasts or under the armpits, tiny indents on the surface of the breasts, any change in the shape and size of either or both the breasts, pain or swelling in the breasts, red, scaly patches around the nipples that cause itching or occasional discharge, and unusually heavy menstrual flow. Though it is advisable that all women should periodically get their breasts examined by a professional medical examiner, women who are nearing or have already attained menopause are at a greater risk of having breast cancer, and consequently greater need for such examinations.

An effective way of making sense of these symptoms is the clinical breast exam. It is a routine test that does not require any special preparation that can be conducted by your regular doctor. You should ideally fix an appointment with your doctor within a few days of your menstrual period, as this is the time when your breasts are least likely to have any usual swelling or tenderness caused by the changing level of hormones, and consequently the results of the test are likely to be more accurate. You should also report to your doctor beforehand any changes in your breasts that you have observed lately. Since breastfeeding may also be a natural cause for certain changes in your body, you must inform your doctor if you are a nursing mother. Before the test begins, you will be required to take off your upper garments and relax. You may be asked to lie back on an examination table with your hands behind your head or lifted up along the sides so that the doctor can properly examine any irregularities in your breasts. You may also be asked to lean forward for a closer examination. The doctor runs her fingers over your breasts in small circular motions applying various degrees of pressure, and examines if there are any unusual cellular growths that may be connected to deeper tissues. These motions are generally repeated laterally and vertically to ensure that no abnormalities go undetected.