Final answer:
The correct method for a breast examination is palpation, which is the physical examination using fingers to detect irregularities. Auscultation is used for assessing heart conditions, not breast exams.
Step-by-step explanation:
The method used to perform a breast examination is palpation. This process involves using the fingers to feel for lumps or irregularities in breast tissue, which could potentially indicate the presence of breast cancer. While methods like percussion, auscultation, and mensuration are also diagnostic techniques, they are used for other purposes. For instance, auscultation, which involves listening to the sounds made by organs, typically with a stethoscope, is a technique applied to assess the state of a patient’s heart, not to perform a breast exam. The importance of regular breast self-exams, such as a monthly breast self-exam, lies in the early detection of abnormalities, which can lead to improved treatment outcomes if breast cancer is present.