When to Start Getting Mammograms
You might question when you should get a baseline mammogram, when you should start getting regular mammograms and how often you should get mammograms once you start. Even the guidelines can be confusing:
This is so dangerous … it makes me nervous just thinking about it!
Yes, there are risks associated with mammography primarily because it is a form of radiation, like an x-ray.
But mammography saves lives (just read this information based on an American Cancer Society study).
Fewer women die from breast cancer after mammography becomes routine.
Let me say that again … fewer women die from breast cancer after mammography becomes routine.
Cancer caught earlier responds better to treatment.
If I didn’t go for that baseline mammogram when I was 35, the cancer that was growing in my body would have gone undetected for at least five years until I went for my first mammogram when I was 40. If I didn’t go for that mammogram when I turned 40 … well, I can’t even speculate, but I’d venture to guess that I wouldn’t have had a curable disease.
Remember … I didn’t have a family history of the disease. I didn’t have a palpable lump. I had a strong sense that something was wrong with my body and I acted upon it.
There are no studies to back up that reason for getting a mammogram. Just common sense.
April 3rd, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Although I agree with your thoughts totally about how important mammography is. I might add that sometimes mammography alone it not enough. I was sent by my gynecologist at around age 38 for my baseline, because he thought he detected something irregular. That mammogram failed to show anything out of the ordinary. So I relaxed, as did he, and I didn’t revisit this issue for several years. At age 44 I could physically feel a lump in my breast. I was sent for a mammogram which was totally negative as well. The same day I also had an ultrasound which showed tumors and cysts in both breasts, and was told immediately that it most likely was cancer in both breasts. And also it was believed that this had been present for several years. Indicating to me that if perhaps we had not just accepted the negative report on the original mammogram and had an ultrasound at that time also, that my cancer might have been discovered before it became very advanced.
I have been told that sometimes this can happen, as well as sometimes nothing will show on an ultrasound, but WILL show up in mammography.
My situation is not very common, nor is it extrememly uncommon. However, with regular exams, mammography, and other testing when deemed needed, we are more likely to catch cancer early, while it is still very treatable.
April 8th, 2007 at 5:52 am
Guidelines that are pulling back from routine screening are worrisome.
And I say that even though my cancer was also undetectable on the mammogram even though it was palpable. This is not unusual for lobular. It was obvious on sonogram, though.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I agree on getting a baseline mammogram at 35! The breast cancers that are caught in women 35-40 while more rare are also more lethal. Also, insurance companies are required to cover the mammogram at 100% starting at age 35–so why not be on the safe side. Ladies–go and get your mammogram! Even if you don’t have a family history. The life you save may be your own.