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Breast Exams Specialist

Triangle Women's Center

Gynecologists, Women’s Health, Primary Care & Menopausal Support located in Morrisville & Fuquay-Varina, NC

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, but it is curable when caught at an early stage. That’s why you should have regular breast exams at Triangle Women’s Center in Fuquay-Varina, Cary, and Morrisville, North Carolina. Haritha Nadendla, MD, FACOG, has extensive experience identifying the earliest signs of breast cancer while performing clinical breast exams during your annual well-woman visit. If you’re overdue for a breast exam, call the office or schedule an appointment online.

Breast Exams Q & A

Why do I need breast exams?

When you visit Triangle Women’s Center for a well-woman exam or other exams, if needed, Dr. Nadendla examines your breasts. During your breast exam, she checks for unusual rashes, skin dimpling, lumps, nipple discharge, and differences between your breasts. As an experienced gynecologist, she can detect changes that need additional testing, such as a mammogram.

During your breast exam, Dr. Nadendla can also assess your risk for breast cancer and recommend when and how often you should have a screening mammogram.

Am I at risk for breast cancer?

The most important risk factors for breast cancer are family history and genetics. If you have a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, your risk of breast cancer is six-times higher compared to women who don’t carry the mutations.

If you meet any of these criteria, you also have a higher risk of breast cancer:

  • Overweight and obesity
  • Early menstruation
  • Late menopause
  • First pregnancy after 30
  • Radiation treatment for cancer

Your risk for breast cancer also increases as you get older.

What symptoms develop due to breast cancer?

While a lump is often the first symptom women notice, there are other signs of breast cancer that may appear before you can feel a lump, including:

  • Breast itchiness
  • Redness
  • Slight swelling
  • Skin dimpling
  • Nipple discharge
  • Newly inverted nipple
  • Changes in the breast’s size or shape
  • Peeling, crusting, or flaking skin on breasts

If you detect a lump or notice any of these symptoms, call Triangle Women’s Center to schedule a clinical breast exam as soon as possible.

Should I perform a breast self-exam?

Many women choose to perform a breast self-exam (BSE), so they become familiar with their breasts and are better prepared to notice unusual changes. However, BSE is no longer recommended for routine breast cancer screening.

Studies show that BSE doesn’t lead to early detection of breast cancer, and it doesn’t improve your survival if cancer is detected.

Additionally, BSEs often lead to false-positive results, meaning women discover something that turns out to be nothing of concern. The problem with false-positive results is that they lead to twice as many biopsies with negative results.

A clinical breast exam at Triangle Women’s Center is the best method to detect unusual changes, obtain the diagnostic testing you truly need, and receive a correct diagnosis for breast cancer.

If you’re concerned about changes in your breast, call Triangle Women’s Center or schedule an appointment online for a breast exam.