Breast cancer physical examination

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mirdula Sharma, MBBS [2]

Physical Examination

A physical examination allows the doctor to look for any signs of breast cancer. During a physical examination, the doctor may:

• do a clinical breast examination (CBE) to check the breasts and lymph nodes for:
• breast lumps
• hardening or thickening in the breast tissue
• skin changes on the breast, including dimpling
• changes in the nipples
• swollen lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla) and above and below the collarbone
• feel the abdomen to check for an enlarged liver
• listen to the lungs