The most routine ancillary examinations include breast ultrasound and mammography (mammogram), (other than MRI, CT, breast ductoscopy, pathology, etc.). Through the physical examination and ancillary examinations, the doctor is usually able to make a preliminary diagnosis of the patient’s disease. Chen Fei of the Department of Mammography, Nanjing Women’s and Children’s Hospital I will give you a detailed introduction to the various methods of breast examination in several sections, including their scope of application, examination content and significance. This section gives you an introduction to the methods of breast physical examination. I. Significance of breast physical examination Although we now have many advanced medical examination equipment and means, physical examination and self-examination are still the most basic means of examination because it is simple, convenient, most economical and non-invasive. Breast physical examination has good sensitivity for lesions up to a certain size and to a certain extent can also detect lesions that are occasionally missed by ancillary examinations. Here, it is important to emphasize that all ancillary examinations have a certain rate of miss and misdiagnosis (clinically known as sensitivity and specificity), which is related to the characteristics of the examination instrument itself and the experience of the physician. Therefore, we should not superstitiously believe in auxiliary examinations, but should combine medical history, physical examination and various auxiliary examinations to make a comprehensive consideration and develop a treatment plan. Second, the method of breast physical examination 1, the appropriate time: the best time for breast physical examination is about a week after the clean menstruation. This is when the physiological breast swelling subsides, the volume of the breast is minimal, and subtle lesions are most easily detected. Adult women should get into the habit of performing a breast self-examination every menstrual cycle, not only to have a full understanding of their own breast characteristics, but more importantly, to accurately identify new changes in the breast in a timely manner. 2, visual diagnosis: visual diagnosis is to see. The light should be bright when examining yourself, and you can observe in the mirror. Take a sitting position, with both shoulders flat, and first compare the size and contour of both breasts. Many patients have asymmetrical or inconsistent bilateral breast development. If you find a significant increase in size or local contour change in one breast within a short period of time, seek prompt medical attention. Second, look at the breast skin. Whether there is local elevation or local depression of the skin (clinically known as dimple sign), whether there is redness and edema, edema can be seen in inflammation or malignant tumor, typical cancerous edema is orange peel-like, clinically known as orange peel sign. Finally, look at the nipple areola. Compare whether the bilateral nipples are at the same level, whether the nipple direction has changed, and whether there is nipple depression, especially the nipple depression that appears in a short period of time should be paid attention to. Pay attention to whether the nipples have flaking, erosion and eczema-like changes. 3. Palpation: Take a sitting or lying down position and palpate the right breast with the left hand and vice versa. Develop a good habit of palpation in order, starting from the outer upper breast, and then checking the outer lower, inner lower, inner upper, nipple areola area, and finally the armpit and clavicle for lumps. The palpation technique is to place the middle three fingers together and place the end finger belly (note, not the fingertips) flat on the breast and do circular pressure in a certain area. Do not pinch the breast to examine it, as this could easily mistake the glandular tissue for a lump. Finally, gently squeeze the nipple to see if there is nipple discharge or blood spillage.