Breast examination

Breast examination is a screening method used in an attempt to detect early breast cancer. The method involves the woman herself looking at and feeling each breast for possible lumps, distortions or swelling.

Types of Breast Examination

There are two main types of breast examination: self-examination and clinical examination.

Self-examination

Breast self-examination (BSE) is a self-generated method where women are encouraged to regularly inspect their breasts by themselves in order to detect any unfamiliar lumps or distortions. The technique is often used as an early detection method for breast cancer.

Clinical examination

Clinical breast examination (CBE) is a physical examination of the breast done by a health professional. It is a systematic examination that involves a series of steps which aim to detect any abnormalities in the breast tissue.

Importance of Breast Examination

Breast examination is an important part of health care for women. It can help detect breast cancer at an early stage when it is more likely to be curable. Breast examination can also help find other conditions that may need treatment, such as benign breast disease.

Limitations and Risks

While breast examination can be beneficial, it also has limitations and risks. For example, it may not detect all breast cancers, especially those that are small or deep within the breast tissue. It can also lead to false-positive results, causing unnecessary anxiety and further testing.

See Also

• Mammography
• Breast cancer screening
• Breast diseases