3. Adjunct to Primary Mammography

​​​​Author: Dr. Nathalie Levasseur
Date of completion: April 2026
Date of next review: May 2027​

​See Breast Clinical Care Pathway​​​​

​3.1 Breast self-examination

Women can choose to do regular breast self-examination (BSE). For premenopausal women, this is best done in the week following the menstrual period. For postmenopausal women, a specific day of the month should be chosen.1 There is no evidence that BSE improves survival in those with no prior breast cancer history, but regular self-examination does allow a woman to know her own body and therefore recognize early changes in the breast texture or appearance. Anyone noting new changes in breast tissue should be encouraged to bring any concerns to their health care provider right away.2

3.2 Routine breast examination by family physician​

The combination of physical examination by a physician and mammographic screening has been shown to reduce mortality from breast cancer.3

References

  1. Canadian Cancer Survivor Network. Breast self-exams. SurvivorNet Canada. https://survivornet.ca/cancer-type/breast-cancer/screening/breast-self-exams/.
  2. Cassidy C.M., Choi C.I., Herdman B., Kilbane T.K., Lannen J.F., McConnell J.P., Moufawad M.M., Bailey B.A.. Benefits of breast self-examinations for medically underserved populations: A systematic review. Women's Health (Lond). 2025 Jan-Dec;21:17455057241311400. doi: 10.1177/17455057241311400. PMID: 40037386; PMCID: PMC11881123.
  3. Mathis K.L., Hoskin T.L., Boughey J.C., Crownhart B.S., Brandt K.R., Vachon C.M., Grant C.S., Degnim A.C. ​Palpable presentation of breast cancer persists in the era of screening mammography. J. Am. Coll. Surg. 2010 Mar;210(3):314-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2009.12.003. PMID: 20193894.