Physical Exam

Breast Palpation

also known as Clinical breast examination

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

With consent and a chaperone, and the patient supine with the ipsilateral arm raised behind the head, palpate each breast systematically with the finger pads using a consistent pattern (such as vertical strips) and varying pressure over all of the breast tissue, including the axillary tail. Note the location, size, consistency, and mobility of any mass. Gently compress the nipple to check for discharge if indicated.

How to Interpret

Breast Cancer

Abnormal clinical breast examination

Rule in

Very helpful

Rule out

Somewhat helpful

Evidence:Strong

References

Barton MB, Harris R, Fletcher SW. The rational clinical examination. Does this patient have breast cancer? The screening clinical breast examination: should it be done? How? JAMA. 1999 Oct 6;282(13):1270-1280. doi:10.1001/jama.282.13.1270. PMID: 10517431. (JAMA Rational Clinical Examination original article.) MEDLINE search 1966-1997, English language, with manual reference-list review and author contact for clarifications and unpublished data. Studies pooled for test-characteristic estimates had to report all screening outcomes; sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were calculated from raw data.
Bickley LS, Szilagyi PG, Hoffman RM, Soriano RP. Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
Swartz MH. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.