Mammogram age

[DawnM]

When did you start getting regular mammograms for routine checks?  Age?

 

Just curious.

 

 

[PrincessMommy]

I got my first baseline mamo in my late 30s when I started the pill.   My dr is big on pushing mamos, but I disagree with the frequency, since there is no history of breast cancer in our family.  I still think I go too often but I go about every 2yrs just to appease the dr.

[DawnM]

The new recommendation is age 50-75 for women who don't have any issues or history.    The old recommendation was 40 and above.

 

Just wondering if I really should be exposing myself to radiation if there is really not a cause.

 

30 and above, wow.

[hillfarm]

I am very ambivalent about mammograms. With no family history, no lifestyle precursors, etc. it seems to me that the compression and radiation of the mammogram itself become my biggest risk factors. I have heard that a newer ultrasound one is available. Have any of you done this one?

 

I have complained to my GP that if men had to have a "testiculo-gram", they would have come up with something a whole lot better, safer and less painful to do the same job.

[Laura Corin]

In Scotland, unless you have a concerning family history, first mammogram takes place between ages 50 and 53 (depending on when your birthday falls in the cycle).

 

L

[MercyA]

Here's an interesting study:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/12/health/study-adds-new-doubts-about-value-of-mammograms.html?_r=0

http://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g366

 

"Conclusion:  Annual mammography in women aged 40-59 does not reduce mortality from breast cancer beyond that of physical examination or usual care when adjuvant therapy for breast cancer is freely available. Overall, 22% (106/484) of screen detected invasive breast cancers were over-diagnosed, representing one over-diagnosed breast cancer for every 424 women who received mammography screening in the trial."

[flyingiguana]

My neighbor does the ultrasound because she's already had breast cancer.  I don't know why that's not available to everyone.  Cost perhaps?  Is the thinking that she should get the ultrasound because it's more important to detect early cancer in her, since she is at high risk, having already had cancer?

 

If that's the case, it kind of brings the efficacy of mammograms into question.

 

Course, any sort of imaging involves shooting high energy into the body, which can alter DNA and lead to cancer.

 

As can the radiation from flying.

[AmyontheFarm]

I am 42.  My sister has had many non-cancerous growths removed since she was 19.  Mine came back clean.

[Mandylubug]

30 but I have several fibroadenomas that they are watching.

[Pawz4me]

Keeping in mind that I'm 51 and recommendations seem to have changed (or be in flux) in recent years -- I had my first mammo in my late 30's.  The gynecologist recommended it then in order to have a comparison for later.  Then after 40 I started getting one every year.  I did have to have a benign lump removed once, which was detected by mammography.  At this point, because I have fairly dense breasts, my doctor recommends that I continue with having a yearly mammogram.  Given that the recommendations are all over the place now, I think it's pretty important to discuss it with your own doctor and go by what he/she recommends.

 

Also, when looking at all these studies that seem to pop up almost every week now -- Remember that many (most?) of them are based on results obtained using older methods of mammography.  Digital mammograms, which are now pretty much standard, are believed to be much better.

[Lanny]

I believe women who do not have any symptoms or family history should have a "baseline" mammogram at about age 40.  Do it!   If my wife's late best friend had had one, at that age, she might be alive today...  She was about 45 when she passed away.

[Cindy in FL.]

In my late 20s because of issues I have.

[bodiesmom]

I had my first one at 37 due to a painful lump that came on suddenly. I have small,very dense and lumpy breasts (awesome combination....let me tell ya) so I have continued to have mammograms annually. In fact I'm due next month (I'm now 41) for my annual mammogram and have debated even getting one with all the "new" research being given. I've decided, at this point at least, to continue with the annual tests. I am also considering paying out of pocket to have the ultrasound test done. My grandmother passed away from breast cancer, but I've been told that it doesn't really count as a risk factor since she was diagnosed in her 80s. I'm not sure I fully believe that though....

[trulycrabby]

I started at about age 48; I have had a lump, then one breast started to have symptoms resembling inflammatory breast cancer-which resolved evntually, so no cancer. However, since I have a complex cyst, I am now in the system and go every year for ultrasound and mammography. I am ambivalent about mammography, since it missed my lump, which is rather high up on the breast and did not fit into the mammography plates. I had to press for ultrasound since my mammo was clear and my radiology report was clear. Since a complex cyst has the potential to evolve into cancer, I now have a heads up that there is something to watch, an am reasonably confident that if cancer develops, it will be found early.

So, my advice to those who have family history, or who may find lumps in the future: If you find a lump, don't just go to a mammography center; find a breast readiologist, who specialises in breast disease and cancer. I had to have two mammographs, then an ultrasound, before my breast oncologist referred me to the breast radiologist, who performed a second ultrasound (performed by the radiologist and not a technician) and stated it was a complex cyst. Think of how much time could have been saved if I had seen her first, not to mention six months of nervous waiting.

Sorry for the dissertation, but I feel strongly that women should not rely only on mammogaphy to catch breast cancer, since many are discovered through self exam, or by those who push for an ultrasound because they got a clear report yet feel strongly that something may be wrong.

[umsami]

I started at 40…but then had a break due to pregnancy/breastfeeding.  Back doing regular.

[JenneinCA]

I haven't had one yet. Age 42.

[G5052]

I had one at 40, and unfortunately have areas that are "on watch."  So I go annually, and make sure I get a particular technician that handles my issues appropriately and will get it all done in one visit with a minimum of pictures.  

 

Some years back I had a new technician, and she was very clumsy and didn't do a good job.  I had to go back twice because of her ineptitude, which meant more radiation and expense.  I wrote a letter to the hospital about that, and they ultimately wrote off the additional scans.  I don't know if she's still there or not, but I know which technician always does it right.

 

[Joker]

I've had one done the last two years, so I started at 35. I don't know if they will keep me coming once a year, but at my last one a few weeks ago they said they wanted me back in one year because there is an area they are watching. I've had one biopsy but it was fine. There is no family history of breast cancer (or really any cancer).

[Mrs Mungo]

When did you start getting regular mammograms for routine checks? Age?

Just curious.

35, but I am in a higher risk category.

eta: My baby sister's breast cancer was discovered when she was 29, but it was stage 4 when they discovered it. Earlier detection could have saved her life.

My last mammogram led to a couple of needle biopsies, the spots turned out to be benign fibroadenomas. I'd rather have an "unnecessary" (only because they were benign) needle biopsy here and there than leave cancer to spread undetected.

It is good to get a "baseline" when you are fairly young because what they look for is *changes* in the breast more than tumors.

[zimom]

35. My mother was diagnosed at 39.

[Loowit]

I had my first when I was 35. I was having problems and I have a family history.  My grandmother had breast cancer and a double masectomy when she was in her early 30's. She turns 90 in a few weeks.  Anyway, I have not had one since.  I was supposed to get one last year, but never got around to making the appointment.  I will go this year after my annual exam.  I am almost 41.

[sheryl]

I was 40 - 42.  My maternal grandmother had breast cancer and it claimed her life.  Now this was around 1950 and a lot has changed.  I'm thinking of Luanne - be encouraged there have been MANY improvements, treatments over the years.

 

Two weeks ago I had my annual mammogram but instead of a baseline they recommended a 3D which offers a more precise image for those of us with dense br. :)  I'm grateful my tests have come back normal.

[HSmomof2]

My dr. recommends 40....then every 2 years, and annually after 50.

[trulycrabby]

I had to find a new doc when I moved to another state.  So she wanted to send me at 32 (with no family history).  I didn't go.  I'm now 39 and I still have not gone.

I might be thinking of the wrong person, but did your mother have ovarian cancer?

[MelAR05]

I had a baseline at 40, then just had another one a few weeks ago, just shy of 44. Everything was normal. And I have no history of breast cancer in my family.

 

My ob/gyn, who I consider a friend and really trust, recommends it yearly. Last year she had a questionable mammogram that resulted in a biopsy. Thankfully everything turned out fine but she said she will DEFINITELY have one every year.

 

I have terrible anxiety about having a mammogram. I put it off until the fear was worse than knowing. I'm glad I went for peace of mind.

[trulycrabby]

Yes she did.
 
I don't think that is related.
 
I suppose that "might" be why, but nobody in my family on any side ever had breast cancer.

I believe it might be related, and might bee why the doc wanted you to have breast cancer screening at such a young age.

http://m.cancer.gov/topics/factsheets/BRCA


I had a long post explaining why, but it got deleted. In short, there can be a genetic connection between breast and ovarian cancer. If a direct family member had ovarian cancer, then her daughters should be aware that there may be a higher risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. I don't mean to scare you because the risk for you may be quite small or non-existent, but I thought you should at least be informed of the possibility.

[Slartibartfast]

I have had ultrasounds as well as mammograms.

 

They did the ultrasounds because I was breastfeeding.

 

 

I started screenings younger because there is a history of breastcancer in my family.

 

[Lolly]

Haven't. Probably won't. 

[sbgrace]

I got one at 40 for a baseline. My primary concern was actually thyroid radiation exposure, so I wore a collar.

 

For me anyway, it wasn't at all painful or even uncomfortable. I'm sure that varies by woman, but I was worried about that and it was a non-issue.

 

 

[Jeannie in NJ]

my grandmother died at age 50 from breast cancer.  I had my first mammogram at age 35 and try to go every year but no longer than 2 years. 

[MistiDelaney]

I got my first at 30 - though there is no history of breast cancer in my family.  I had them irregularly - mainly when my doctors had hissy fits at me -  until I had a late pregnancy.  I stopped then, and after a 10 year hiatus, I started getting thermograms instead.  I was never happy about the radiation, and thermograms don't involve squishing, either.  :p  So much nicer.

[Mrs Mungo]

I got my first at 30 - though there is no history of breast cancer in my family.  I had them irregularly - mainly when my doctors had hissy fits at me -  until I had a late pregnancy.  I stopped then, and after a 10 year hiatus, I started getting thermograms instead.  I was never happy about the radiation, and thermograms don't involve squishing, either.  :p  So much nicer.

Just a note for people reading the thread-thermograms have not been found to be terribly accurate:

Thermography has been around for many years, but studies have shown that it’s not an effective screening tool for finding breast cancer early. Although it has been promoted as helping detect breast cancer early, a 2012 research review found that thermography was able to detect only a quarter of the breast cancers found by mammography. In other words, it failed to detect 3 out of 4 cancers that were known to be present in the breast. Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI), which some people believe is a newer and better type of thermography, has the same failure rate. This is why thermography should not be used as a substitute for mammograms.

[SweetMissMagnolia]

my dr usually says starting at 40...I'm 43....I've done one yearly since turning 40 and before that I had a few times when I found lumps/bumps and they checked those out for me......

[QueenCat]

Baseline at 40; annually after. Since my insurance has covered it at 100% all along, I figured I would do it. There are different guidelines, all from major reputable groups, so I go with the most conservative, which says start younger. Watched too many people wait, and then suffer.

[Ravin]

Baseline after DD weaned before DS conceived, in my early 30's, because of family history.

I might have another after DS weans, but hopefully by 40 I'll have had chest reconstruction done.

[I.Dup.]

The new recommendation is age 50-75 for women who don't have any issues or history.    The old recommendation was 40 and above.

 

Just wondering if I really should be exposing myself to radiation if there is really not a cause.

 

30 and above, wow.

 

This is what I've been told. My gyn also said mammograms really are not very accurate.

[Mrs Mungo]

This is what I've been told. My gyn also said mammograms really are not very accurate.

A single mammogram is not very accurate in younger women because they have dense breasts. However, doing a baseline mammogram, then looking for *changes* is a very good way of detecting breast cancer early.

[J-rap]

I started mine at 40, and have one every year or two.  I also have an MRI every year or two.  I am considered high risk because my mother had BC, and her mother had it, and her mother's mother had it.  They all lived to an old age to tell about it, thankfully.  (My mother was 42 when she was diagnosed and is 86 now.)  My breasts are so dense that they're difficult to read; that's why I do the MRI as well.  I do all of these tests at a breast center.  I used to be so nervous about getting the results every year, but not anymore.

[Liz CA]

This is what I've been told. My gyn also said mammograms really are not very accurate.

 

There are opinions on both sides - effective, ineffective, harmful radiation, etc. I suppose it is a personal decision. Whatever one feels most comfortable with. I have also heard the same about thermography - some say it's offers good baseline readings, other discount it.

 

We all need to do our own research and follow our gut feeling...and that can be different from another person.
 

[Liz CA]

This is what I've been told. My gyn also said mammograms really are not very accurate.

 

There are opinions on both sides - effective, ineffective, harmful radiation, etc. I suppose it is a personal decision. Whatever one feels most comfortable with. I have also heard the same about thermography - some say it's offers good baseline readings, other discount it.

 

We all need to do our own research and follow our gut feeling...and that can be different from another person.
So far, I have opted out of mammograms and my physician has never mentioned it.