Breast Cancer/Pregnancy Q?

Now I know that this might be a weird question but I heard a story the other day about a woman that had breast cancer and died from it. Apparently her mother also had it but no one else in the family did. Her mother was urging her at 33 while she was TTC to get a mammogram because of her family history...

The daughters response was, "i'm 33, I'll get it after I have the baby, etc etc"

Now I know breast cancer knows no age, nor does cancer in general, but apparently the increase in hormones is what caused the cancer to spread like wildfire in her. She died at 36, leaving 2 kids.

The last few times I've been to my OB/Gyn they have talked about doing the HALO test even though there is no history of breast cancer in my family. This test is supposed to test for pre cancerous cells in the fluid in the nipple. Apparently, over 50% of the breast cancer cases they find are in women with no family history (which of course leads me to believe that it IS environmental, even if they can't figure out where its coming from)....

If you are actually still reading this, my question is, even though I'm 29 with no family history, am I supposed to get this HALO test or a mammogram before I TTC?

TIA for your thoughts/opinions/comments!

Re: Breast Cancer/Pregnancy Q?

I thought someone just posted recently about having the Halo test done.

Try doing a search. I'm almost positive someone wrote about their experience.

ETA: http://www.lifamilies.com/chat/topic.aspx?ID=463070&Highlight=halo

Message edited 10/30/2009 9:08:25 PM.

Re: Breast Cancer/Pregnancy Q?

my mom is a breast cancer survivor and i myself had a lumpectomy when i was 28. (luckily, it was benign).

i also know of a young woman who had to have a c-section at 7 months because she had breast cancer so bad they needed to start chemo. immediately. she is now dying with 3 kids and an infant. so sad...

HOWEVER, you will always hear stories, but breast cancer can and does strike young woman. IMO though, i don't think you need the HALO test done before you TTC. you seem to be aware, so just do your breast checks monthly and your OB can do them as well throughout your pregnancy. although some women get cancer while pregnant, it is rare. i did not do the HALO test, but I do go every 6 months to a breast doctor for a more thorough check than i give myself and she saw me once during my pregnancy and i had a sono. done during my pregnancy. (No mammo. this past year because of the x-rays). all of this is because i have family history and had a lump before.)

Just stay aware, but i really don't think you need this test, JMO.