How often for breast exam in 20s?

[banananumber2]

Hello,
I was wondering, is it necessary for me to have a breast exam every year? I am 23 and on birth control pills. My gynecologist said that she would not continue my prescription for birth control pills next year unless I got a breast exam at my next annual visit. This confused me because I read that the American Cancer Society only recommends that breast exams happen "preferably every 3 years" for women in their 20s.  I had a breast exam last year, and my doctor didn't find anything unusual.   I also perform regular breast self exams on myself.

I know no one really likes going for an annual exam, but being touched intimately in gynecological exams generally makes me rather panicky to the point that I get panic attacks about it months after it happens.  It makes me feel kind of blackmailed and extremely violated to think about someone forcing me to let them touch my breast at a time that I think is unnecessary just to get medication.

[japdip]

I must say I disagree .... it isn't at all common to find BC I women in their 20s but it's such a minor thing and I believe that everyone should see a Dr. once a year. You do realize that Dr.s should not and in most cases cannot prescribe any medication without seeing the patient at least that often. If that were not the case there are many things  that could go unnoticed in that length of time. It's just not good medical practice and also it doesn't make  good sense either. We should certainly care at least that much about our bodies.

[banananumber2]

This is the recommendation I read: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/moreinformation/breastcancerearlydetection/breast-cancer-early-detection-acs-recs

"Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a periodic (regular) health exam by a health professional preferably every 3 years."

[japdip]

One additional comment .... I don't know where you read that ACS only recommends breast exams every 3 years. I can't imagine them advising something like this with the many cases of Breast Cancer that are diagnosed every day, even after yearly exams. Abnormalities can certainly occur many times during a 3 year period. That advice would be quite risky to my way of thinking.

[japdip]

You are talking about two different types of exams here .... as far as a breast exam I don't see any comparison between that and the pelvic exam that I suppose you are calling "intimate".
I certainly hope that your GYN is seeing you for all exams at least once a year, especially since you are on birth control medication. It would be very POOR medical care for any Physician to prescribe any type of medication without seeing the patient at least once a year.
So, the answer is YES !! I just don't see the difficulty in having a breast exam once a year. Trust me, the Dr. is not just "touching your breast" in order for you to obtain medication but checking for any abnormality that might be present due to the fact that you are on certain medications !!! Everyone should see a Dr. once a year .... this is being adult and taking care of one's health.  Regards .....