Breast Exam

Breast Exam

·        7 – 10 days after the beginning of menses

·        Inspection: while standing, look for dimpling and nipple deformity with patient‟s hands on her hips and then above her head

·        Palpation:

o   Patient supine with hands behind her head

o   Distinguish glandular tissue from breast fat

o   Check for loss of pliability as well as for masses

o   Axilla: checked for enlarged axillary lymph nodes – 1 – 2% of cancers present as axillary lumps

o   Characteristics of breast cancer: fixed, immobile, single, hard