Should I perform breast self-exams if I have annual mammograms?

The answer is yes.

As noted previously, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends annual mammograms (starting at age 40), clinical breast exams (every year for 40 and up), and monthly breast self-exams:

1. Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
2. Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
3. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.

One may think that breast self-exams are redundant if you are being screened by the other methods. Yet according to a Johns Hopkins study,  approximately "40% of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump".

At a more personal level is the story of Samantha Harris:

"In a routine self-examination last fall, she detected a lump in her right breast. A prior mammogram was clean, but sensing something was wrong, the TV host met with another specialist months later." 

Ms Harris did the smart thing and sought out some second opinions:

"The former E! News correspondent sought the opinions of three different specialists. In the end, Harris was advised to either get a double mastectomy or a less-radical second lumpectomy with radiation."

Despite the risk of overtreatment, it is better to have the information and make educated decisions based on that information rather than be in the dark. Some people would rather be safe than sorry.

Breast self-exam. Do it.

Below is a YouTube video on how to perform a BSE, and written instructions can be found here.

Video 1. How to perform a breast self-exam (BSE).