A breast exam can mean a clinical breast exam done by a clinician, a breast self-exam you do at home, or imaging like a mammogram. Each plays a different role in finding breast cancer early.
Here’s how each works, what the current screening guidelines say and which changes to report right away. Test yourself with the breast exam quiz.
Key takeaways
- USPSTF (2024): screening mammograms every 2 years for women aged 40–74.
- Know how your breasts normally look and feel, and report changes promptly.
- A new lump, skin dimpling, new nipple inversion or bloody discharge should be checked.
- Screening mammograms are covered at $0 under the ACA and Medicare.
USA Breast Exam: Quick Facts
- USPSTF mammogram
- Every 2 years, ages 40–74
- High risk
- Yearly MRI + mammogram may be recommended
- Clinical exam length
- About 5–10 minutes
- Self-check timing
- A few days after your period ends
- Density notification
- Required nationwide since Sept 2024
- Coverage
- Screening mammograms $0 (ACA, Medicare)
What Is a Breast Exam?
Breast exams look for lumps and other changes that may need more testing. Most breast lumps are not cancer; many are cysts or benign fibroadenomas. Still, any new change should be evaluated.
More on What Is a Breast Exam →Clinical Breast Exam: What to Expect
- The clinician looks at your breasts for differences in size, shape, skin or nipples, often with your arms raised and then on your hips.
- Lying down, they use the pads of their fingers to feel all breast tissue, often in vertical strips, from the collarbone to the bra line.
- They check the lymph nodes in the armpit and above the collarbone.
You can ask for a chaperone at any time.
More on Clinical Breast Exam: What to Expect →Self Breast Exam: How to Do a Breast Self-Exam
Many organizations now emphasize breast self-awareness: knowing your normal and noticing changes. If you like a routine, here’s a simple method:
- Look: in a mirror, check for changes in shape, skin dimpling, redness or nipple changes, with your arms down, raised and on your hips.
- Feel lying down: use the pads of your three middle fingers with light, medium and firm pressure, covering the whole breast in up-and-down strips.
- Include the armpit and the area up to your collarbone.
- Timing: a few days after your period ends, when breasts are least tender.
Mammogram Guidelines
| Organization / group | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| USPSTF (2024) | Screening mammogram every 2 years, ages 40–74 |
| American Cancer Society | Option to start yearly at 40; yearly 45–54; every 1–2 years from 55 |
| High risk (≈20%+ lifetime risk, BRCA carriers) | Yearly MRI plus mammogram, often starting at 30 |
Since September 2024, U.S. mammography facilities must tell you whether you have dense breasts, which can hide cancers and may call for more imaging. 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) is widely available.
More on Mammogram Guidelines →Breast Changes to Report
- A new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit
- Skin dimpling, puckering or an orange-peel texture
- A new inverted nipple or nipple scaling
- Bloody or clear nipple discharge that happens on its own
- Redness, swelling or persistent pain in one area
Important
Men can get breast cancer too (about 1% of cases). Anyone with a new breast lump should get it checked.
Breast Exam and Mammogram Cost
Under the ACA, screening mammograms for women 40+ are covered at no cost in most private plans. Medicare covers a yearly screening mammogram for women 40+, usually at $0. Diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds follow normal cost-sharing. A clinical breast exam is often part of a well-woman or physical exam, usually alongside a pelvic exam.
More on Breast Exam and Mammogram Cost →Free practice test
Ready to test yourself?
Choose your test length, practice with instant feedback or take it exam-style, and get your score with an explanation for every answer.
Go to the USA Breast Exam practice test →USA Breast Exam FAQs
How often should I get a mammogram?
USPSTF recommends every 2 years for women aged 40–74. Some organizations recommend yearly screening, and high-risk people may need yearly MRI too.
Full answer →How do I do a breast self-exam?
Look in a mirror for changes, then use the pads of your fingers with varying pressure to feel the whole breast and armpit, ideally a few days after your period.
Full answer →What does a cancerous breast lump feel like?
Often hard, painless and irregular, but not always. Any new lump should be evaluated by a clinician.
Full answer →Are clinical breast exams still recommended?
Recommendations vary. Some groups don’t recommend routine clinical breast exams for average-risk people, while others support them as part of a well-woman visit. Discuss with your clinician.
Full answer →Is a mammogram free?
Screening mammograms are covered at no cost in most private plans for women 40+ and by Medicare yearly. Diagnostic imaging may involve cost-sharing.
Full answer →Official sources
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information and is not medical advice. Coverage, prices and requirements change and vary by provider and location. Confirm details with your provider, insurer or the agency listed in the sources. Read our editorial policy.