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The general rule of thumb for getting mamograms is baseline at 35, then annuals starting at age 40. In addition you should be doing self breast exams every month and your doctor should be doing exams every 1-2 years. If you have a direct family member diagnosed with breast cancer (mom/daughter/sister) you should begin annual mamograms 10 years prior to their diagnosis date. For example, I was diagnosed at 31 so my sisters should start getting annual mamograms at age 21. Mamograms are difficult to read in young dense breast tissues and thus they should be followed up with ultrasounds and/or x-ray. MRI are more sensitive and less radiation; thus create more false negatives so they are generally reserved for those with BRCA1/2 mutations. IBC doesn't show up on mamograms/x-rays/ultrasounds. If you've had a mastectomy; clincial exam is much more effective for diagnosing chestwall recurrance than mamogram.
jessi
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