When?

tooyoung50 · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 2:52 pm Post subject: When?

I am 29 years old, and both of my Grandmother's had breast cancer, along with other Aunts on each side of my family. Every year when I go for my annual check up, I ask the Dr. when I should have a mammogram. They always tell me 40. Sometimes I feel like they are just rushing me in and out of my appointment. Does anyone have any advice, or agree with what the Doctors are telling me.

brainman · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:05 pm Post subject: Re: When?

I think Nancy (Muttsmom) will give you a more informed advice than I can. However, it seems like I have heard that in families like yours where there is a multi generational history of cancer that the standard is to have a mammogram for a baseline at age 30 or 35. Certainly, you should be doing monthly breast self-examinations. In case you do not know how or just would like to see how it really should be done, I have posted a video demonstration in a sticky note at the top of this forum.

I wish you the best and a long, healthy life.
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Muttsmom · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: When?

Hi,

I had no family hx of any kind of cancer, so I had my 1st mammogram at 40 and since I was dx less then 3 years later with Stage III Breast Cancer, it was there the whole time I was having mammograms and before. How old were your grandmother's and aunts when they were dx? I'm not sure, but if they were in there 60's we'll say, then I doubt you'll get a doctor to do a mammogram before 35. If they were in their 40's or 50's, I would think you'd start having them by 30. Remember that mammograms miss 45% of all breast cancers in women under 50 because of the dense breast tissue, so I would ask for a MRI. I know they have more updated mammograms then when it missed mine, but I know they still aren't good when there are dense breast tissue.
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