WHAT IS A CBE?
A Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) is an examination of your breasts by a health care professional, such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse, or doctor’s assistant. For this examination, you undress from the waist up. The health care professional will first look at your breasts for changes in size or shape. Then, using the pads of the fingers, the examiner will gently feel (palpate) your breasts. Special attention will be given to the shape and texture of the breasts, location of any lumps, and whether such lumps are attached to the skin or to deeper tissues. The area under both arms will also be examined. During the CBE is a good time for the health care professional to teach breast self-examination to the woman who does not already know how to examine her breasts. Ask your doctor or nurse to teach you and watch your technique.
