Early mammograms?

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Eden - 18 Dec 2003 09:04 GMT

Hi there,

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer (too late) when she was
about 36. I am 28. I am from the United States, and my sister, who
is in the states, is given a mammogram once a year. She's 30. My GP,
however, told me that I didn't need to worry about early screening,
despite my mom, and the fact that other women on both sides of the
family have had breast cancer (though they have been post-menopausal).
I have three questions - are there any women who are screened at my
age in the UK? And are there any trials/programs available for people
in my situation? And lastly, if I choose to have a mammogram
privately, how much do they generally cost?

Thank you in advance,

Eden

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Tim Jackson - 18 Dec 2003 11:00 GMT

> Hi there,
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Eden

Screening mammograms are considered to be of little value in younger women.

Firstly, the low rate of breast cancer in the younger age group means that
the vast majority of healthy women would be given unnecessary radiation
doses, leading to a significant risk of creating more cancers than we cure.
A somewhat earlier start could be justified for women known to be at high
risk, but I doubt that starting as early as 30 gives any real benefit. The
rate of breast cancer among 30-year-olds is about one twentieth of that
among menopausal women.

Secondly the mammogram has a poor detection rate for breast cancers in
younger women because of the nature of the breast tissue. It is usually too
dense for the faint shadows of calcifications (the footprint of cancers,
among other things) to be visible, so the false-negative rate is very high.

Tim Jackson

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madiba - 21 Dec 2003 23:05 GMT

> Hi there,
> My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer (too late) when she was
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> in my situation? And lastly, if I choose to have a mammogram
> privately, how much do they generally cost?

Insist on a mammo at 30, two views for each breast is sufficient.
That way you have a baseline, a reference for later. If the results are
ok start annual screening mammos at 35, until then a combination of
self-exams/clinical checkups/ultrasound should do. Of course you are in
a high risk group, remember your mom's cancer was at an advanced stage
at 36 so it possibly started way before that. If your GP remains
stubborn phone around and find one that will co-operate. If necessary
get the mammo done privately, again phone around to local radiology
practices the secretaries are familiar with the prices. If your breast
tissue is dense you should be getting MRIs, but it'll take ages for the
infrastructure/legislature to catch up in the UK.

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madiba

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Kaye301 - 22 Dec 2003 02:27 GMT

Madiba wrote: << Insist on a mammo at 30, two views for each breast is
sufficient.
That way you have a baseline, a reference for later. If the results are
ok start annual screening mammos at 35, until then a combination of
self-exams/clinical checkups/ultrasound should do. Of course you are in
a high risk group, remember your mom's cancer was at an advanced stage
at 36 so it possibly started way before that. >>

That should be the standard for those who are at high risk. Now, if only this
practice was adopted and all treating physicians were aware of this need. The
best way for this for this to come about is for those organizations that deal
with breast cancer on a wide-scale basis and have that recognition, to get the
word out. Thanks for your helpful and informative post, Madiba.

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