Breast examination
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| image = Breast exam (series of 16) (13).jpg
| caption = Clinical breast examination
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Breast examination, also known as clinical breast examination, is a physical examination performed by a medical professional on an individual presenting with signs and symptoms in a breast, periodically on some people with a family history of breast disease, or on a person with an incidental abnormal finding on imaging such as mammography.{{cite book |last1=Oliver |first2=Oliver |last2=Duncan |first3=Kirsty |last3=Dundas |first4=lexandder |last4=Laird |editor1-last=Innes |editor1-first=J. Alastair |editor2-last=Dover |editor2-first=Anna R. |editor3-last=Fairhurst |editor3-first=Karen |title=Macleod's Clinical Examination |date=2018 |publisher=Elsevier |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-0-7020-6991-8 |pages=212–216 |edition=14th |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0jtRDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA212 |language=en |chapter=11. The reproductive tract }}{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Erin V. |title=Breast Examination:Indications |url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1909276-overview#a4 |accessdate=11 January 2023|date=22 August 2022 |url-access=subscription}} Some organisations recommend a breast examination as part of routine screening, typically in some high risk groups.
Techniques may vary from one medical professional to another, but essentially follow the principles of obtaining informed consent, inspecting and then palpating the breasts, followed by looking for nearby lymph nodes. A chaperone is offered prior to beginning the examination.{{cite web |title=Breast Examination |url=https://oxfordmedicaleducation.com/clinical-examinations/breast-examination/ |website=Oxford Medical Education |date=26 April 2016 }} The method is similar in both males and females.
In 2024, the US Department of Health and Human Services banned breast examination (and pelvic, prostate and rectal exams) without written informed consent, when such exams are done by medical students, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants for “educational and training purposes”.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/pelvic-exams-consent-federal-government-hhs-52331c180249daa1aa12c470f8d70061|title=Hospitals must obtain written consent for pelvic and similar exams, the federal government says|date=April 1, 2024|website=AP News}}
Medical use
Breast examination is a physical examination performed by a medical professional on an individual presenting with signs and symptoms in a breast, periodically on some people with a family history of breast disease, or on a person with an incidental abnormal finding on imaging such as mammography. Frequently, the individual seeking medical attention has already examined their breasts themselves and found a lump, skin change, pain or nipple discharge.
Procedure
Techniques may vary from one medical professional to another, but essentially follow the principles of obtaining informed consent, inspecting and then palpating the breasts, followed by looking for nearby lymph nodes.
File:Breast exam (series of 16) (2).jpg|Inspection
File:Breast exam (series of 16) (14).jpg|palpation
File:Breast exam (series of 16) (10).jpg|Assess for local lymph nodes
Findings
File:Early_signs_of_breast_cancer_hariadhi_svg.svg
To describe the location of a finding, the nipple is frequently used as a clock face centre and any abnormality is described by the position it would be on a clock, how far it is from the nipple and how deep it is from the skin.{{cite web |last1=Newton |first1=Erin V. |title=Breast Examination: Technique |url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1909276-overview#a9 |accessdate=23 August 2023|url-access=subscription }} Examination findings are generally reported using particular terms; size, symmetry, texture, description of any lump and appearance of skin.{{cite journal |last1=Henderson |first1=Jessica A. |last2=Duffee |first2=Doug |last3=Ferguson |first3=Troy |title=Breast Examination Techniques |journal=StatPearls |date=2022 |pmid=29083747 |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29083747/ }}