Breast Exam

Usually conducted as part of a general well woman exam, a breast exam checks for breast health and abnormal issues that may cause problems, including lumps, dimpling, nipple inversion, redness, soreness, or swelling. The health provider checks each breast with her fingers while the patient is sitting, and then when the patient is lying down. It is also important to conduct monthly breast self-exams, which are performed in the same way.