[Clinical breast examination]

This article provides information on breast cancer in women and emphasizes nurses' key role in clinical breast examination. Since women must be shown how to perform proper breast self-examination as a precautionary measure for early cancer detection, it is essential that nurses themselves be able to conduct a quality examination. Following a brief review of the anatomy and physiology of breasts, the manuscript gives instructions on the correct procedure to enable interested nurses to take on independent and interdependent functions in their practice setting. The author also underlines errors to be avoided.