In consultations, I often hear that examining your own breasts is supposedly pointless. The reality is more nuanced: science has indeed reviewed the place of this practice, without actually claiming that knowing your own body is useless.

The myth

"Breast self-examination is pointless."

What the science says

The major studies evaluating systematic self-examination as a screening tool have not shown the expected benefit. Two large population studies, conducted in Russia and Shanghai on 388,535 women, comparing self-examination with no intervention, found no statistically significant difference in breast cancer mortality. However, nearly twice as many biopsies with benign results were carried out in the groups practising self-examination compared with the control groups.

It is on this basis that the French National College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians updated its recommendations in 2023. The results indicate that self-examination should not be recommended for women in the general population, who otherwise benefit from a clinical breast examination by their doctor or gynaecologist from the age of 25, as well as organised screening from 50 to 74. For women over 75, those at high risk, or those already treated for breast cancer, data are lacking to issue a recommendation.

In the United States, the ACOG takes a similar stance but introduces an important nuance: its recommendations advise against systematic self-examination for women at average risk, due to an unfavourable benefit/risk ratio, while encouraging "breast awareness", since most breast cancers are detected by women themselves.

Why it matters

This distinction changes everything. It is not a matter of saying that observing your breasts is useless, but rather that turning this practice into a rigid monthly protocol, systematically searching for abnormalities, has not been proven to save lives, while increasing unnecessary examinations and the anxiety that comes with them. In practice, what matters is knowing the usual appearance and texture of your breasts, so as to spot any real change, and seeing a doctor without delay if this happens, rather than actively and regularly searching for an abnormality.

What to remember

Key takeaway

Systematic self-examination is no longer recommended as a screening method, but knowing your breasts and reporting any changes to your doctor remains useful. Annual clinical examination by a professional from the age of 25 and organised screening between 50 and 74 remain the cornerstones of screening.

Do not hesitate to discuss this at your next appointment.