Physician breast exam vs. self exam

[Bates0425]

The end of November 2007 I had a physical done for a wellness program at work.  I am 39 and have been having breast exams for a long time now.  This is the first time the doctor (young woman just joined the practice this past summer) squeezed my nipples herself.  She had already asked if I had any discharge from them and I said no, never have.  I was uncomfortable with her doing this and did not say anything at the time as I was shocked and not sure what to do.  I could understand the doctor asking the patient to do that if she wanted to be sure there was no abnormal discharge but I am not so sure about her doing that herself?  I just looked at (3) self exam websites, 2 of 3 do not include squeezing the nipples as a part of the exam.
As professionals, what do you suggest?

[Irishgal2]

I think the doctor is just being very thorough.  If she is a new and young doctor it may be the way they are being trained to carry out breast exams now.  Breast cancer rates are on the rise worldwide so every woman has to be more vigilant and so too doctors.  Be grateful you don't have breast cancer.  I only wish my doctor during my wellness program at work was so thorough.  I was 39 when I had my medical check last year in June and she found nothing only for a lump to appear exactly 2 months later!!!

[DrBhumikaMD]

Hi,
Well there is a difference between a breast self exam and a physician's clinical evaluation. The doctor might be wanting to be absolutely thorough with the examination. You can relax and next time do point it to her if you were uncomfortanle or it caused you pain. Also any nipple discharge that you notice should be reported to your doctor, but you done have to squeeze your nipples for it. Some discharge at the time of breast self examination or squeezing of the nipple is normal. Goodluck.