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When a healthcare professional like your doctor or their nurse performs a clinical breast exam, they are trained to spot warning signs and abnormalities. You may already receive a clinical breast exam as part of your annual physical. The doctor will do many of the same things you did during your breast self-exam, including visually examining your breasts in different positions, checking for unusual textures or lumps, and checking your nipples for unusual discharge.
If the doctor finds a lump, they will check its size, texture and shape. Lumps that are not cancerous may feel different from ones that are cancerous. The doctor will also check to see if the lump moves easily. Lumps that seem to be smooth, round, soft and moveable are most often non-cancerous tumors or cysts. Lumps that the doctor feels are hard, irregularly-shaped, and seem to be attached inside the breast tissue are more at risk of being cancerous. In either case, the doctor will need more tests to diagnose the lump to be sure.
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