Clinical Breast Examination FAQ
How Often Should I Have a Clinical Breast Examination?
You should have a clinical examination at least every three years starting at age 20 and every year starting at age 40. A clinical breast examination (CBE) may be recommended more frequently if you have a strong family history of breast cancer.
When Should I Schedule a Clinical Breast Examination?
Breast examinations are best performed soon after your menstrual period ends, because your breasts will not be as tender and swollen as during your period. This makes it easier to detect any unusual changes. If you have stopped menstruating, schedule the yearly examination on a day that's easy for you to remember, such as your birth date.
What Happens During a Clinical Breast Examination?
Your breast nurse or surgeon will ask you detailed questions about any past personal history or family history of breast disease. Questions might include use of HRT, when your periods stopped, or use of the oral contraceptive pill.
A thorough breast examination will be performed. For the examination, you undress from the waist up. Your breast specialist will look at your breasts for changes in size or shape and may ask you to lift your arms over your head, put your hands on your hips or lean forward. The breast specialist will examine your breasts for any skin changes including rashes, dimpling or redness. This is a good time to learn how to do breast self-examination if you don't already know how.
As you lay on your back with your arms behind your head, your breast specialist will examine your breasts with the pads of the fingers to detect lumps or other changes. The area under both arms will also be examined.
The breast specialist will gently press around your nipple to check for any discharge. If there is discharge, a sample may be collected for examination under a microscope.
Complete Breast Cancer Screening
Clinical breast examination can be an important method of early breast cancer detection and may be performed along with mammography and/or Digital Infrared BreastScans to provide a comprehensive breast screening service.