Breast palpation is a key part of early breast cancer detection for every woman. The earlier a doctor detects a tumor in the breast tissue, the more likely it is to heal and recover completely. Regularity is essential when examining your breasts. This includes both palpation by yourself and by your doctor as part of preventive check-ups.
Below you will find further information and specialists for a breast examination.
During a breast examination, the doctor examines both breasts, the armpits, armpits and the associated lymph nodes. This is done by palpation with your palms and fingers, either by self-examination or clinically by your doctor.
Anychanges in the breast tissue that you notice yourself should be discussed with your doctor. The expert responsible for this is your gynecologist or obstetrics and gynecology specialist.
Early detection of breast cancer is the primary reason for examining your breasts. Malignant changes in the tissue rarely manifest themselves through pain.
Deep-seated lumps are not detected without targeted palpation and can grow undetected. It is therefore important that you pay attention to any abnormalities that you notice in your breasts. Detecting cancerous tumors at an early stage is the best way to cure them.
Tumors in breast tissue are often deceptive because they usually do not cause any symptoms for a long period of time. This makes regular monitoring all the more important, both by yourself and by your gynecologist.
In addition to the classic palpable lumps in the breast, there are other aspects that are important for an examination:
The term breast examination is a collective term for various forms of examination.
The different methods mainly include
You perform a breast self-examination on yourself. Ideally, you should stand in front of a well-lit mirror and look at your unclothed breasts from several positions. Pay attention to any changes compared to the last self-examination.
Then feel your breasts one after the other with the palm of your hand. The aim is to detect tissue changes, such as lumps or color deviations. Pay attention not only to the breasts and nipples, but also to the armpits and armpits.
Don't be put off if you come across numerous dents and bumps when feeling. This is often mammary gland tissue. With experience and regularity, you will notice the difference over time. Your gynecologist will be happy to explain the exact and detailed self-examination procedure to you.
A sensible time for self-examination is between the third and seventh day after the start of menstruation. This is when your breasts show the least amount of hormone-related tissue changes. Always feel your breasts at the same time of your cycle to have a meaningful basis for comparison.
Breastself-examination is a preventive examination that every woman should carry out regularly @ Tatyana Gladskih /AdobeStock
The clinical examination is carried out by your gynecologist. This palpation examination is part of the annual check-up. From the age of 30, the costs are covered by health insurance. Your doctor will examine both breasts, the armpits and armpits and will also examine the lymph nodes.
The examination includes a consultation on the results and instructions for self-examination.
As part of the early detection of breast cancer, tactile breast examinations are increasingly being offered to blind or visually impaired people. These people have a very well-developed sense of touch. During medical training, they have learned to feel even the smallest tissue changes in depth. This enables them to detect minor changes at an early stage.
Talk to your gynecologist about a medical palpation examination. Many private health insurance companies offer to cover the costs as part of their supplementary benefits.
Mammography (Latin: mamma = female breast, Greek: graphein = to draw) is an X-ray examination of the breast. Doctors recommend it if a pathological process in the breast is suspected. Especially if other procedures do not provide any information.
You can also have a mammogram from the age of 50 to 69 as part of free cancer screening. The examination is voluntary. Mammograms are also used for follow-up care after surviving breast cancer.
Mammography is an X-ray examination of the breast and is one of the most important preventive examinations @ RFBSIP /AdobeStock
For the period after the palpation examination, there is nothing for you as a patient to consider. The follow-up examinations only concern women who have no further symptoms. If breast cancer is suspected, an immediate examination is a matter of course.
There are no risks for you during a breast examination. On the contrary: risks arise primarily from avoiding preventive examinations by your gynecologist. Without a breast examination, doctors cannot detect a tumor in the tissue.
With mammography, as with any X-ray examination, there is a risk of damaging the genetic material in the cells. However, the risk is extremely low.
Breast palpation is one of the most important aspects of breast cancer screening for women. If you palpate your breasts yourself at regular intervals, you are on the safe side when it comes to early detection. You will also be supported by your gynecologist with regular clinical examinations and mammograms.
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