Final answer:
Women should have clinical breast exams every one to three years starting in their 20s and 30s, and annually after age 40. Monthly breast self-exams are highly recommended to detect early changes and improve outcomes for breast cancer treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Clinical breast exams for women are not as frequent as monthly self-exams. For clinical exams by a healthcare professional, the recommendation can vary based on age and individual risk factors. However, a common guideline is that women should receive clinical breast exams every one to three years starting in their 20s and 30s, and annually after the age of 40.
It's important for women to perform a monthly breast self-exam to become familiar with the normal appearance and feel of their breasts so they can detect any changes early on. These self-exams are part of proactive personal healthcare and can lead to early detection of potential breast cancer, which is critical for better outcomes. While clinical exams are important, they are recommended less frequently and are often paired with routine screening mammograms, especially in women aged 50 and older.