Breast examination is an essential part of routine health check-ups for women, especially after the age of 20.
It is recommended to perform breast self-examination (BSE) once a month and clinical breast examination (CBE) every 6-12 months.
CBE is a more thorough examination performed by a healthcare professional.

Benign Conditions:
- Fibroadenoma: a common, non-cancerous tumor that is usually firm and mobile.
- Phyllodes tumor: a rare, non-cancerous tumor that can grow rapidly.
- Intraductal papilloma: a small, non-cancerous tumor that grows in the milk ducts.
- Cyst: a fluid-filled sac that can be painful or tender.
- Lipoma: a benign growth of fat cells.
Malignant Conditions:
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): a non-invasive cancer that grows in the milk ducts.
- Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): a cancer that grows in the milk ducts and invades surrounding tissues.
- Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS): a non-invasive cancer that grows in the lobules.
- Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC): a cancer that grows in the lobules and invades surrounding tissues.

General Features:
- A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area.
- A change in the size or shape of the breast.
- A change in the position of the nipple.
- A change in the skin texture or appearance.
Specific Features:
- Fibroadenoma: usually firm and mobile.
- Phyllodes tumor: grows rapidly and can cause pain or discomfort.
- Intraductal papilloma: may cause nipple discharge or bleeding.
- Cyst: may cause pain or tenderness.
- Lipoma: usually soft and movable.

Indications:
- Routine health check-ups for women over 20 years old.
- Women with a family history of breast cancer.
- Women with a history of radiation exposure.
- Women with a previous breast cancer diagnosis.
Technique:
- BSE: performed by the woman herself.
- CBE: performed by a healthcare professional.
- Steps:
  1. Inspect the breasts for any changes in size, shape, or skin texture.
  2. Palpate the breasts for any lumps or thickening.
  3. Check the nipples for any changes in position or discharge.

Observation Steps:
- Stand in front of a mirror and observe the breasts for any changes.
- Look for any changes in size, shape, or skin texture.
- Check the nipples for any changes in position or discharge.
Palpation Steps:
1. Place your fingers on the breast and gently press down.
2. Move your fingers in a circular motion to feel for any lumps or thickening.
3. Check the axillary and supraclavicular nodes for any swelling.

Axillary Nodes:
- Located under the arm.
- May be swollen in cases of breast cancer.
Supraclavicular Nodes:
- Located above the clavicle.
- May be swollen in cases of breast cancer.
Infraclavicular Nodes:
- Located below the clavicle.
- May be swollen in cases of breast cancer.

General Signs:
- A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area.
- A change in the size or shape of the breast.
- A change in the position of the nipple.
- A change in the skin texture or appearance.
Specific Signs:
- A hard or fixed lump.
- A change in the nipple's position or discharge.
- A skin dimpling or redness.

Imaging Results:
- Mammography: can detect breast cancer early.
- Ultrasound: can detect breast cancer and monitor its growth.
- MRI: can detect breast cancer and monitor its growth.
Biopsy Results:
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB): can detect breast cancer cells.
- Core needle biopsy (CNB): can detect breast cancer cells.
- Excisional biopsy: can detect breast cancer cells and remove the tumor.

Medicines:
- Calcarea phosphorica: for breast pain or tenderness.
- Belladonna: for breast inflammation or infection.
- Pulsatilla: for breast cysts or tumors.
- Thuja occidentalis: for breast cancer or tumors.
Indications:
- Breast pain or tenderness.
- Breast inflammation or infection.
- Breast cysts or tumors.
- Breast cancer or tumors.

BREAST EXAMINATION