Northwest Oncology & Hematology

Rolling Meadows Office: 847.870.4100
Elk Grove Village Office: 847.437.3312
Hoffman Estates Office: 847.885.4100
Barrington Office: 847.842.0180
Elgin Office: 847.577.1023

  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • Home
  • Health Education Library

Welcome to our health education library. The information shared below is provided to you as an educational and informational source only and is not intended to replace a medical examination or consultation, or medical advice given to you by a physician or medical professional.

Breast Exam, ClinicalExamen cl­nico de seno

Clinical Breast Exam

Your yearly checkup should include a clinical breast exam. This exam may be done by a gynecologist, family doctor, nurse practitioner, or specially trained nurse. Yearly breast exams help to ensure that breast conditions are found early.

Image

Your Healthcare Provider's Role

A healthcare professional knows the tests and follow-up care needed if a problem is found. Your clinical exam is also a great time to ask questions about breast self-exam (BSE). You can find out whether you're doing BSE in the most effective way. Or you may want to ask how pregnancy, breast implants, or breast reduction surgery affects the way you should examine your breasts.

Diagnostic Tests

If a clinical exam reveals a breast change, you may have other tests to find out more. These tests may include:

  • Mammography, low-dose x-rays used to create pictures of the breast.

  • Ultrasound, using sound waves to create a picture of the breast.

  • Biopsy, the removal of a small amount of breast tissue by needle or incision. The tissue is then examined under a microscope.

Guidelines for Having Clinical Breast Exams

Starting at age 20, you should have a clinical breast exam every 1 to 3 years. After age 40, have a clinical breast exam each year. If you're at higher risk for breast cancer, you may need more frequent exams. Risk factors for breast cancer may include:

  • Being over 50 or postmenopausal

  • A family history of breast cancer

  • Having had no pregnancies or a first pregnancy after age 30

  • Obesity

  • Heavy alcohol use

Publication Source: American Cancer Society

Publication Source: National Cancer Institute

Online Source: American Cancer Society

Online Source: National Cancer Institute

Date Last Reviewed: 2007-01-15T00:00:00-07:00

Date Last Modified:

Contact us at Northwest Oncology & Hematology. You can reach us at 847.870.4100 (Rolling Meadows office), 847.437.3312 (Elk Grove Village office), 847.885.4100 (Hoffman Estates office), 847.842.0180 (Barrington office) and 847.577.1023 (Elgin office). For your convenience, you can also use our New Patient Appointment online form to schedule your consultation with us.

Decrease font size Default font size Increase font size