A breast exam or screening is a simple yet significant procedure designed to detect changes or abnormalities in breast tissue early. A breast screening helps identify signs that may require further evaluation and treatment. Understanding what is involved in a breast screening can help you prepare for your visit. Here’s more information on what’s involved in a breast screening:
Purpose of Breast Exams
Breast screening serves as an early detection tool for breast cancer and other breast conditions. The main goal is to discover problems before symptoms appear or when they are still easier to treat. Healthcare providers look for changes in breast tissue that may signal the start of cancer or other breast problems. These changes can include lumps, tissue thickening, or other abnormalities.
Having a breast exam regularly also helps establish what feels normal for your breasts. This baseline helps your healthcare provider notice any future changes more easily. It also helps you become familiar with how your breasts normally feel.
Types of Breast Screenings
There are two main types of professional breast exams. Clinical breast screenings involve a healthcare provider manually checking your breasts with their hands. Mammograms use special X-ray technology to take pictures of your breast tissue.
Clinical breast screenings can sometimes find lumps or symptoms that don’t show up on mammograms. Mammograms can detect changes deeper in the breast tissue that are hard to feel during a manual exam. Both types work together to provide complete breast screening.
Self-exams at home are also helpful for breast health. Your healthcare provider can teach you how to examine your own breasts. This helps you discover changes between your regular medical appointments.
Steps in a Clinical Exam
During a clinical breast exam, you will need to undress from the waist up. The healthcare provider will give you a gown or sheet to cover yourself. The exam takes place in a private examination room with you and your healthcare provider present.
Your healthcare provider will first examine your breasts while you sit up with your arms in different positions. They check for visible changes in size, shape, or skin appearance. This visual inspection helps identify obvious abnormalities before the physical exam begins.
Next, you will lie down while your healthcare provider uses their hands to feel your breast tissue. They press gently but firmly to check for lumps or other changes. The exam covers your entire breast area, including the area under your arms and near your collarbone. Your healthcare provider will examine both breasts and compare them to each other.
Recommended Exam Frequency
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends clinical breast exams every one to three years for women aged 25 to 39. After age 40, annual clinical breast screenings are recommended. Your healthcare provider may suggest a different schedule based on your personal risk factors.
Mammogram schedules typically begin at age 40 and continue through age 75. Most women need mammograms every one to two years during this time period. Women with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors may need to start mammograms earlier or have them frequently. Your healthcare provider will help determine the best breast screening schedule for your individual needs.
Schedule a Breast Exam Today
Regular breast screenings are a fundamental part of maintaining your health and catching potential problems early. Clinical breast screenings and mammograms play key roles in breast cancer prevention and early detection. Contact a trusted healthcare provider near you to schedule your breast exam today.
