A clinical breast examination is an important component of breast cancer screening. The clinical examination is a physical exam of each breast by the hands and eyses of a trained practitioner. The examiner manually checks for any suspicious or unusual lump and visually inspects the breasts for any changes or abnormalities. Early detection is often advanced by competent clinical exams.

Anyone with breast tissue can receive clinical breast exam. Recommendations for breast cancer screening vary widely among health agencies. A clinical breast exam can be conducted for the purpose of breast cancer screening or to confirm a suspicious finding.

A palpable lump is the most common symptom of breast cancer. Manual examination complements imaging methods for the detection of breast cancer, whether by clinical breast exam or self breast exam.  Interval cancers (breast cancers that develop in the time period between imaging appointments) are also routinely detected by palpation. Clinical breast examination may be the only breast cancer screening tool in developing countries or geographically remote regions without access to expensive imaging technology.

Clinical breast examinations are performed by healthcare professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, mammography technicians, etc.). The types of clinicians who are able to provide clinical breast exams depends on state regulations and institution-specific policies.

No. Unfortunately, the practice of clinical breast examination tends to vary widely between practitioners and medical institutions. The evidence-based standard for clinical breast examination is the MammaCare Method, which is practiced widely by certified MammaCare clinical breast examiners.

Certified MammaCare clinical breast examiners are found throughout the United States at hospitals, breast centers, health departments, and more. Go to the MammaCare home page to see a map of certified providers who perform MammaCare clinical breast examination.

A clinical breast examination is an important component of breast cancer screening. The clinical examination is a physical exam of each breast by the hands and eyses of a trained practitioner. The examiner manually checks for any suspicious or unusual lump and visually inspects the breasts for any changes or abnormalities. Early detection is often advanced by competent clinical exams.