mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

Obviousyly I will be discussing this with my doctor, but curious to see what anyone else did. Those who are in a high-risk category for breast cancer, at what age did you start regular mammograms? 30? 35? Do you go annually or every six months?

My mom is a survivor, my maternal aunt died of breast cancer that metastasized to the lymph nodes and led to bone cancer, and my maternal great grandmother died of breast cancer. So, I'm definitely in a very high risk group. I won't be waiting until 40, I know. I am just curious how early I will probably need to start. My mom goes every six months -- and did before she was diagnosed with breast cancer. That is what likely saved her life.

Just curious what others in similar situations are doing. Thanks.

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

My mother had breast cancer in 2005 and my Yia Yia (grandma) had it and past away from it and my aunt had a double mastectomy at 35...therefore i had my first mammography at 31 and will continue to have them every year until the day I die...

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

I am also very high risk. I planned to start this year at 30 but because I got pregnant again I am waiting. Once I stop nursing this one when he/she is born I will go, so sometime when I'm 31.

My sister started at 30 and goes once a year. It's great to get a good baseline mammo while we're young.

All the best!

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

25. My mother is a survivor (she had it at 31). My grandmother also is a survivor.

I have something that they are watching so I go regularly.

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

Thanks, ladies. I am not 30 yet, but assumed it would start around 30.

I am sorry that we are all in such a high risk group, but appreciate your responses.

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

Have you been tested for the BRCA gene?

I *was* considered high risk, my mom's two sisters had BC in their 30s, so I had my first mammogram at 29.

My next dr. suggested getting tested for the gene to see if I was, in fact, high risk. My aunt that had BC tested positive, but my mom tested negative so I was no longer considered high risk and will follow the normal mammogram schedule.

There is a chance that if your mom's cancer was genetic, and she tests positive that you could test negative.

Then again, you could have already known all of this and I have completely wasted your time.

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

Went last year for the first time and they found a tumor. I now have to go every 6 months. The tumor was beign. Go it's not bad

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

Had my first one last dec (at 33) because I found a lump..i'm high risk because of family on both sides with bc...they did a biopsy the same day which turned out to be neg thank god. now i'm on the annual schedule to be watched.

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

I am high risk as well. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at 42 and passed away from it at 47. I had my first baseline mammogram at age 29. and i have been going yearly since then. I get a diagnostic mammogram and bilateral breast sonogram.

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

I am concerned about genetic testing and having that information follow me around...ie. health insurance will somehow find a way to exclude people with certain genetic markers,...I rather take my chances.

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

Posted by melbalalala

Have you been tested for the BRCA gene?

I *was* considered high risk, my mom's two sisters had BC in their 30s, so I had my first mammogram at 29.

My next dr. suggested getting tested for the gene to see if I was, in fact, high risk. My aunt that had BC tested positive, but my mom tested negative so I was no longer considered high risk and will follow the normal mammogram schedule.

There is a chance that if your mom's cancer was genetic, and she tests positive that you could test negative.

Then again, you could have already known all of this and I have completely wasted your time.

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

No breast cancer in my family but other issues.

I started at 35. At 40 I started to show "abnomal" tissues. I had a biopsy 6 months ago. I have to schedule another one soon to see how this is going.

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?

my mother had breast cancer (double mastectomy, removal of lymph nodes and 6 months of chemo.) so i would have started at 30. i started at 28 after i found a large lump. it was benign, but i had a lumpectomy. i now go every 6 months to a breast surgeon for a breast check and yearly for a mammo. and sonogram.

ETA: I have a great doctor in the Ryan building (next to Mercy Hospital) who does my checks and the radiology dept. at Mercy is great. let me know if want her info.

Message edited 11/19/2009 4:03:50 PM.

Re: mammograms - those who are high risk, when did you start?