Clinical Breast Exam

Breast cancer month is coming to an end, and as we all know, it is important for each woman to understand her risks and constantly stay informed. There are different types of tests that each woman should perform and stay vigilant on. These are: Breast self exam, Clinical breast exam, and mammogram.

Last year, during breast cancer month, we discussed how to perform a breast self exam. If you missed that, please refer to it here: Breast Self Exam. However, you should still go to your doctor for clinical breast exams if you are over 20. I did a little research on what you should expect during clinical exams, and found these FAQs from WebMD. I hope it helps!

How Often Should I Have a Clinical Breast Exam? 

You should have a clinical breast exam at least every three years starting at age 20 and every year starting at age 40. A clinical breast exam may be recommended more frequently if you have a strong family history of breast cancer.
 

When Should I Schedule a Clinical Breast Exam?

Breast exams are best performed soon after your menstrual period ends, because your breasts will not be as tender and swollen as during your period. This makes it easier to detect any unusual changes. If you have stopped menstruating, schedule the yearly exam on a day that's easy for you to remember, such as your birthday.
 

What Happens During a Breast Exam?

Before your breast exam, your health care provider will ask you detailed questions about your health history, including your menstrual and pregnancy history. Questions might include what age you started menstruating, if you have children, and how old you were when your first child was born.

A thorough breast exam will be performed. For the exam, you undress from the waist up. Your health care provider will look at your breasts for changes in size, shape, or symmetry. Your provider may ask you to lift your arms over your head, put your hands on your hips or lean forward. He or she will examine your breasts for any skin changes including rashes, dimpling, or redness. This is a good time to learn how to do a breast self-exam if you don't already know how.

As you lay on your back with your arms behind your head, your health care provider will examine your breasts with the pads of the fingers to detect lumps or other changes. The area under both arms will also be examined.

Your health care provider will gently press around your nipple to check for any discharge. If there is discharge, a sample may be collected for examination under a microscope.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Photo credit: Knowcancer.com

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Series: Part 1

Time is flying by really quickly. It’s October of another year, and as we all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Research has shown that breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. So as we take time out to fight this fight, remember those we’ve lost, and celebrate those that won the fight, I will be sharing a few tips on how we can get involved. This week, it’s all about the ladies. Whether you are in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or above, there are steps each of us need to take to catch breast cancer as early as possible.

Under 30:

When you’re in your twenties and younger, the first thought in your mind is not usually about how you can prevent cancer or even detect it. But the earlier we become aware of our bodies, the better chance we have to stay healthy into our old age. What can you do to remain aware while you are under 30? Go for a clinical breast exam every 3 years. More frequently, you can do regular self breast exams. But there’s no use doing them blindly. Get to know how your breasts normally look and feel. This way, you can easily report any changes to your doctor early.

In Your 30s:

When you’re in your thirties, the suggested rule for clinical breast exams is also once every 3 years. However, this is the age when it becomes important to consider all the factors that may contribute to having additional tests. If you have a family history of cancer, or any form of a genetic tendency, talk to your doctor about them because you may need to be screened more frequently, or have with MRIs as well as regular mammograms. As always, don’t forget the regular self breast exams.

Above 40:

There are different suggested rules for the frequency of mammograms (mammograms are simply breast x-rays) and clinical breast exams in your 40s and 50s. Some health bodies suggest beginning these breast exams annually at 40, while some other health organizations say you should start annual breast exams in your fifties. I believe it is all about a level of comfort. Do you have a family history of cancer? Do you take necessary health precautions? Then maybe you can wait till you’re 50. If you are uncomfortable waiting, and think you may have some genetic risk, definitely start the annual process at 40. But when you are above the age of 40, the importance of self breast exams increases even more. Note that there’s only so much a self exam can tell you, but at least you have a greater chance of catching any irregularities early.

Self Breast Exams:

Okay, so we know what we need to do at what age. Now how do we perform a self breast exam? Here is an awesome video that shows how.

A quick note for the gentlemen reading this. The statistics show that men make up about 2 percent of breast cancer patients every year. So please don’t think you are immune. If you also notice any changes at all, contact your doctor immediately.

Remember to get involved every way you know how this month, in honor of the people you may know that are fighting the disease. I will be in contact with several oncologists this month so please send me any questions you may have and we’ll get them answered.

Cheers Eights and Weights!