Breast Self-Examination: Test Overview

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Test Overview

A breast self-examination (BSE) involves checking your breasts to help detect breast problems or changes. Many breast problems are first discovered by women themselves, often by accident. Breast lumps can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Breast cancer can occur at any age, though it is most common in women older than 50.

Medical experts disagree about the need for regular breast self-examinations. A large study showed that regular breast self-examinations led to more doctor visits but did not find breast cancer earlier than regular medical examinations.¹ The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) found no evidence that BSE saves lives, and they do not recommend routine breast self-examinations.^2,³ The American Cancer Society considers breast self-examination an option for women. Talk with your health professional about breast self-examination.

A breast self-examination involves checking your breasts for lumps or changes while standing and lying in different positions and while looking at your breasts in a mirror to note any changes in their appearance. Once you know what your breasts normally look and feel like, any new lump or change in appearance should be evaluated by a health professional. Most breast problems or changes are not because of cancer.

If you choose to do breast self-examinations, this should not replace regular clinical breast examinations (CBE) by a health professional and mammograms if you are older than age 40. Breast implants do not decrease a woman's risk for breast cancer, so women with breast implants need to talk with their health professionals about performing breast self-examinations.

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Last updated:	February 22, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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