(Discouraged in sitting, Done in semi recumbent or supine with arm resting comfortably above the head, breast tissue is evenly distributed out over the chest wall, to allow more accurate detection of abnormalities)
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Sev. methods of palpation, the vertical strip/circular technique is a reliable, shown to have the lowest incidence of missed abnormalities
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Encompass all breast tissue and cover the perimeter bordered by the clavicle, sternum, axilla, and inframammary crease
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Use vertical strip pattern covering the entire breast using overlapping dime-sized circular motions of the increasing pressure (light, medium, deep).
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The pads (not the tips) of the index, middle, and ring fingers are used
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Irregularities are palpated between the skin and the chest wall, not between the two hands of the examiner.
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The size of any palpable abnormality should be described with the use of a measuring instrument. Note additional features including :
- mobility,
- texture/consistency, (soft, firm ,Hard) and
- tenderness
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The precise location of any abnormality should be described using the clock-face position and distance from the nipple is helpful (eg. right breast mass at clockwise 12:00, 4 cm from the nipple).