what is the right age to test mammography

[Jeanette]

I believe a woman should start to get mammograms by age 40. Sooner if there is any history.

[suzan w]

judging by the number of women on this site under age 40...I think women should get mammograms as part of a routine exam...as soon as they are old enough for a pap smear, then I think they are old enough for a baseline mammogram! Just my opinion...

[Jeanette]

I could not agree with you more Susan. I have a daughter who is 38 and lives on a Military base. She went to try and get a mammo as she gets a lot of boils and cysts, they said they could get her one done but it would take about two months to get an appt. And then they would only do the one that was giving her a problem. Even after telling them about me they still did not do it.

[Zoid]

I agree with all of the previous responses. After getting the run-around to follow up on a suspicious breast lump : 2 mo wait for mammo, at the appt was told I had to have an ultrasound first, (since I was 32 and they didn't routinely do them for anyone under 40.) Another month wait for the ultrasound. Another month waiting for the mammo. Got a mastectomy and reconstruction 5 days later for stage IV tumor.-Susie

[Bev]

If your wife has symptoms I would simultaneously schedule an ultrasound with a breast surgeon and a mammo. Perhaps her OB/GYN can reccomend one. Call around for the mammos so you don't have to wait 2 months. If you see a surgeon first she might be able to expedite the mammo, or at least order an MRI.

If the surgeon says you have nothing to worry about, you can cancel other appointments. Good to get the ball rolling.

And unless you have a mastectomy, protocol is to have a mammo every other year beginning at age 40. Perhaps you can reduce the frequency after a certain age but I don't think your wife has hit that age yet. BB

[jessi]

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

[daywalker]

Hi friends,
Previous mammograms showed fibrocystic breast. Did ultrasounds, nothing found. Had implants 6 years ago and removed cysts. Last month mammogram showed microcalcifications, so add’l views were done: Persistent small minimally pleomorphic cluster of microcalcifications w/in outer right periareolar region regarded w/ low degree of suspicion for malignancy. Calcifications vary slightly in shape and density and are tightly clustered over an approx 3 to 4 mm area.
Biopsy findings: Right breast tissue, outer quadrant, core needle biopsies: Rare calcifications associated w/benign breast tissue including fibrocystic change (duct estasia, apocrine metaplasia, and stromal fibrosis, usual and florid ductal hyperplasia). Marker was put in for future. Was told by nurse that nothing malignant, but doctor is referring me to breast oncology doctor for second opinion. What does the pathology report mean? Also, never had bruising, swelling or pain after biopsy, but 2 weeks later, I am having a burning sensation (like my clothes rubbing on it burns), slight redness and pain on nipple and also an indention near the biopsy site and below it. Please advise what could be causing this. Is it possibly the clip/marker? I am really stressing over this.