Reference Manual - IARC Screening Group

Performing Breast and Pelvic ExaminationsEXTERNAL GENITAL EXAMINATIONIn this section, you will learn:• How to examine the labia, clitoris and perineal area for lesions orscars or sores or warts (condyloma accuminata) and the pubic hair forpubic nits or lice• How to check for tenderness, swelling, or discharge from Bartholin’sor Skene’s (paraurethral) glandsPreparation • If you are using a table with stirrups or footrests, help the womanplace her heels in them. Ask her to move toward the end of theexamining table until her buttocks extend slightly beyond the edge ofthe table. Then, ask her to let her knees fall open and to relax herbuttocks (Figure G-10).Figure G-10. Woman Positioned for Pelvic Examination on Table with Stirrups• If there are no stirrups, help place her feet on the outside edge of theend of the table and place her buttocks close enough to her feet sothat her knees bend upward and fall open comfortably (Figure G-11).Figure G-11. Woman Positioned for Pelvic Examination on Table without StirrupsCervical Cancer Prevention Guidelines for Low-Resource Settings G-17