What to expect during a breast exam by a healthcare professional

Learning about a breast lump most often begins with a breast exam. During this exam, a healthcare professional:

• Asks about symptoms and risk factors for breast cancer or other breast conditions. The healthcare professional also asks about other types of cancer in the family, including ovarian, prostate, pancreatic and colon cancers.
• Looks at the breasts and lymph nodes in the armpit, feeling for lumps or any other changes.
• Looks at the skin on the breasts.
• Checks for nipple issues, such as turning inward, called inversion, or giving out fluid, called discharge.

If you have a breast lump or other area of concern, talk with your healthcare professional about testing.