What is a breast exam?
You will be taken to an examination room, where you’ll undress and put on a paper or cloth gown. A health care provider will come into the room for the exam. (If you have a male doctor and would feel uncomfortable, ask for a female nurse to be present in the room during the exam. Or, you can opt for a female doctor.) Your gynecologist will listen to your heart and lungs and ask you to lie down for a breast exam. Some gynecologists will teach you how to examine your own breasts and feel for any unusual lumps or swellings that might need medical care. Knowing what is normal and healthy for your body makes it easier to recognize when something is wrong.
The breast exam is another important part of your annual exam. Your health provider will check your breasts for any unusual lumps or changes that could signal cancer. Your provider will also talk to you about the importance of checking your own breasts every month. This is called breast self-exam (BSE). Women who do monthly BSEs have a much better chance of finding breast cancer early, while it’s still very treatable. BSE is easy and only takes a few minutes.
Related Questions
- What is the difference between a self breast exam (BSE) and a clinical breast exam (CBE) and when should they be done?
- When should a woman have a breast ultrasound exam? What are the pros and cons of breast ultrasound?
- How do we bill for those patients that have only a gyn (pelvic) and breast exam done?
