An examination performed by a specialist physician is called a physical examination. Taking the patient’s history (anamnesis), performing the examination and, if necessary, carrying out some tests is called a physical examination. In this way, a diagnosis is made regarding the patient’s problem and, if necessary, treatment is given. Although the findings of the whole body are generally examined, if the problem belongs to a particular system or organ, that problem is examined more.
A good and detailed physical examination is essential for a correct diagnosis. A woman who has no complaints about her breasts should be seen by a specialist physician once a year starting from the age of 40. Patients in whom a problem that needs to be monitored is found in the breast can be followed at closer intervals.
There are breast cancer cases diagnosed only by physical examination even though they could not be shown by any other diagnostic method (while no suspicious lesion was seen on mammography).
In addition to having a mammogram, having the breast examination performed by a specialist physician is important for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Some breast cancers, although rarely, cannot be diagnosed with mammography and ultrasound; therefore a physical examination must be performed in addition to mammography.
It is recommended that all women at risk have a physical examination together with mammography.
