Breast Exam
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The Healthy Woman
OB/Gyns & OB/GYNs located in Snellville, GA & Lawrenceville, GA
Regular breast exams are important to identify any changes in a woman’s breast that might indicate cancer. Identifying these changes as early as possible allows women to receive prompt, effective treatment. The Healthy Woman ObGyn offers breast exams to patients at locations in Snellville, Lawrenceville and Atlanta, Georgia, to help monitor for early signs of breast cancer.
Breast Exam Q & A
What is a breast exam?
During a breast exam, a provider from The Healthy Woman looks at the appearance of a patient’s breasts and feels them to check for lumps, thickening, and other signs of problems. Providers normally perform this exam when a patient visits for an annual checkup.
Why are breast exams necessary?
Approximately 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer at some time during her life. Because the risk is so high and the disease can be so deadly, women need to do everything they can to catch this illness early. In most cases, the early stages of breast cancer are curable. Regular breast exams can catch cancerous tumors before they become large and invasive.
What happens during a breast exam?
During a breast exam, a provider from The Healthy Woman looks at the patient’s breasts for signs of discoloration, skin changes, swelling, or other abnormalities. They also palpate each breast carefully to look for lumps that may be cancerous.
Are breast exams painful?
Breast exams shouldn’t be painful. However, some women with sore breasts may find the exam uncomfortable. If a patient experiences pain during a breast exam, she should inform their provider.
What happens if my provider finds a lump?
If your provider finds a lump during a breast exam, they may recommend further testing, such as an ultrasound or a mammogram. Depending on the results of these tests, the patient may need a biopsy.
Breast lumps aren’t always cancerous. Many lumps found in the breast are fibroadenomas or cysts that won’t require any further treatment. However, the providers at The Healthy Woman recommend investigating every lump to rule out cancer.
Are breast exams a substitute for mammograms?
A breast exam can identify changes in the breast. However, it isn’t a substitute for a mammogram. Women who are age 50 or over should get an annual mammogram regardless of whether they’ve had a breast exam. Younger women may also need mammograms if their provider discovers a lump during a breast exam or if they’re at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than the general population.
Major Insurance Plans Accepted
At The Healthy Woman, we accept most major insurance plans. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. Please also check with your insurance to make sure you use their preferred laboratory. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed here.
